Homes Evacuated After Train Derailment Spills Hydrochloric Acid
About 3,000 residents in Lafayette, Louisiana were told to evacuate their homes after a BNSF Railway train derailed spilling hydrochloric acid from six train cars. Authorities cleared a one-mile radius initially from the accident site. The derailment spread a toxic cloud over the city and five people were sent to the hospital and treated after complaining of skin and eye irritations. State Police could not offer up an estimate for how long the cleanup would take. Hazardous materials specialists have to work cautiously because the acid is so dangerous. Hydrochloric acid can also cause respiratory problems. An estimated 10,000 gallons spilled.
