Dick Quickwood
03-18-2003, 01:54 PM
Residents told to stay indoors after train derails
Nine freight train cars derailed Sunday night and one of them began leaking an unknown gas, prompting authorities to warn local residents that they should stay indoors and shut their windows.
The cars, part of a Union Pacific train, derailed and overturned about 8:30 p.m. for unknown reasons, according to Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County sheriff's office.
Authorities were told the cars were empty, but one began leaking an unknown gas, Lee said. Hazardous materials teams were at the scene attempting to determine exactly what was leaking.
County officials issued a "shelter-in-place" warning to residents of Crockett, where the derailment occurred, and of nearby Rodeo. Both towns are northeast of San Francisco.
"Until we know what it is, we're asking people in those two communities to shelter in place," Lee said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Nine freight train cars derailed Sunday night and one of them began leaking an unknown gas, prompting authorities to warn local residents that they should stay indoors and shut their windows.
The cars, part of a Union Pacific train, derailed and overturned about 8:30 p.m. for unknown reasons, according to Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County sheriff's office.
Authorities were told the cars were empty, but one began leaking an unknown gas, Lee said. Hazardous materials teams were at the scene attempting to determine exactly what was leaking.
County officials issued a "shelter-in-place" warning to residents of Crockett, where the derailment occurred, and of nearby Rodeo. Both towns are northeast of San Francisco.
"Until we know what it is, we're asking people in those two communities to shelter in place," Lee said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.