Baltimore Train Derailment: Tankers Towed Away As Cleanup Continues
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- For the second time in five weeks, CSX is cleaning up derailed train cars in Baltimore.
This time, environmental crews are managing a spill from one of the cars.
CSX Train Derailment In South Baltimore, No Injuries Reported
The good news here is that there were no injuries.
Just moments ago trains began moving along the track where the derailment happened late Sunday.
By dawn Monday, CSX crews moved from crisis mode to cleanup mode -- prepping and hauling away the four train cars that derailed near South Paca Street and Hollins Ferry Road around 10 p.m.
This was a dangerous deja vu for Baltimore that, this time, involved diesel fuel.
"The big part now is that CSX will be bringing their cranes in so that they can upright these derailed trains and that's going to be the part that's gonna take some time," said Baltimore Fire's Roman Clark.
The cause of the *last crash like this is still under investigation. In March, nine cars CSX cars derailed in Baltimore, toppling onto Falls Road.
Train Services Restored Following CSX Train Derailment
Fortunately, those cars were empty. But this time, all four cars posed a possible threat and one did leak.
"Three of those cars are full with diesel fuel. One of those particular cars has sprung a leak from the top. But that leak has been contained at this time. The other car is with hexone however that car is empty but still it has vapors that could be possible," Clark said overnight.
Hazmat crews and The Maryland Department of Environment rushed to the scene and officials say the leak did *not get into the sewer system."
Still, CSX will face plenty of questions as it starts yet another cleanup within city limits.
CSX released a statement to WJZ saying it's working closely with local first responders to assess the situation and develop a recovery plan.
Crews Monday morning had to upright four cars, three filled with diesel. One, empty, but with traces of the chemical, Hexane.
Jennifer Kunze with Clean Water Action said even though one of those cars leaked its diesel, residents in the area got lucky.
"If it had been some kind of flammable or hazardous liquid in those train cars, it could have been much worse. And if it had been crude oil, it would have caused a massive explosion that could have impacted people's homes, businesses around here," Kunze said.
The cause of the last crash like this is still under investigation.
In March, nine CSX cars tumbled from a trellis over Falls Road. Fortunately, those cars were empty.
But residents are worried that one day, the wrong car will lose its load.
"They want to know what's being shipped, they want to know how often, they want to know what safety measures are in place," Kunze said.
As CSX transitions from crisis to clean up, it'll soon face questions about the safety of Baltimore's rails.
WJZ reached out to CSX for an update, specifically how much diesel was spilled but has not heard back at this time.
Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook
