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Washington DC chemical leak after CSX freight train derails Washington DC chemical leak after CSX freight train derails
(about 5 hours later)
A freight train has derailed in Washington DC spilling hazardous liquid, emergency officials say. A freight train has derailed in Washington DC, spilling hazardous liquid, but no injuries were reported and no evacuation orders were issued.
At least nine cars of the CSX freight train overturned near Rhode Island metro station early on Sunday. Fourteen wagons of the CSX freight train overturned near Rhode Island metro station early on Sunday.
The DC fire department said sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is leaking from one car. Sodium hydroxide, a form of caustic soda, leaked from one wagon, which was later sealed by emergency crews.
There would be no evacuation of nearby residents, it added. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the derailment is unclear. Crews also plugged a leak in another wagon after a release of non-hazardous calcium chloride.
The cause of the derailment is unclear.
Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive chemical that can irritate and burn the skin and eyes.Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive chemical that can irritate and burn the skin and eyes.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, while sodium hydroxide is not combustible contact with moisture or water it may generate enough heat to ignite combustible substances. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, while sodium hydroxide is not combustible, contact with moisture or water may generate enough heat to ignite combustible substances.
"We don't know how much leaked," District of Columbia Fire Department Deputy Chief John Donnelly was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
"The fumes should not cause you any problems."
CSX said the train had three locomotives and a total of 175 cars - nearly half of them empty, the rest carrying mixed freight.CSX said the train had three locomotives and a total of 175 cars - nearly half of them empty, the rest carrying mixed freight.