This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/washington-dc-csx-train-freight-derails-and-sparks-hazardous-leak-fears-a7008886.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Washington DC train derails to spark hazardous leak fears Train derails in Washington DC leaking hazardous chemicals
(about 5 hours later)
A CSX freight train has derailed in Washington DC, leaving several cars overturned and a possible hazardous leak. A chemical leak has been contained after a CSX train derailed in Washington DC, officials said.
No injuries have been immediately reported. At least 14 railcars overturned at 9th and Rhode Island Avenue northeast at 6:40am on Sunday morning, spilling hazardous substances from at least three of them, according to CSX.
Fire officials told WTOP-TV that as many as 11 cars overturned near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station at around 7am Sunday, with at least three leaking hazardous substances. DC Mayor Muriel Bowswer said during a press conference that no injuries were reported and emergency responders were working to contain the leak.
Emergency responders are currently working to contain the leak with officials currently saying they do not know what substance is leaking.There have been no evacuations of residents with no call for shelter in place. Chris Nellum, a witness who lives nearby, said that his window looks over the tracks.
Witness Chris Nellum, whose window overlooks the tracks, said: "I thought it was like a semi-truck coming toward the building and when I looked out the window, I saw cars piling up. "I thought it was like a semi-truck coming toward the building and when I looked out the window, I saw cars piling up," Nellum told the Associated Press. "So I'm not even used to hearing trains. It was jarring.”
"So I'm not even used to hearing trains. It was jarring." CSX identified one of the chemicals leaked as sodium hydroxide, which produces “household products such as paper, soap and detergents.”
NBC Washington have reported a number of sources from the scene claiming sodium hydroxide to be one of the chemicals leaked from the derailed cars. Metro service has been suspended in the area.
According to CSX statement, the train had three locomotives, 175 cars made up of 94 loaded cars and 81 empty. Local officials will provide an update during a joint news conference at 5pm ET.
Rhode Island Avenue was closed in both directions from 4th to 10th streets in Northeast.
The Red Line's Rhode Island Station is also closed. Metro said it would establish bus shuttle service between the NoMa and Brookland stations.