Dec 16, 2006 3:27 pm US/Eastern
Crews Are Cleaning Up After A Train Derails
by Peggy Lee
Marriottsville, Md. (WJZ/AP) ―
A CSX train carrying 33,000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia derails just after 3 Friday morning in Carroll County. Anhydrous ammonia is toxic and emergency crews were on high alert until no leak was found.
"We did have a group in place ready to go in case an evacuation was necessary. It was one of the first steps taken this morning. It was deemed not necessary until we got to the point where we wanted to right the car," said Sykesville Fire Department Sgt. Bill Rehkopf.
As crews prepared to right the car, those living in a one mile radius were asked to leave their homes.
There was a voluntary evacuation in effect. Now, this was primarily for the area along Airington Road in Carroll County.
"Those who wanted to stay behind and those who lived as far as three miles from the scene of the incident were asked to stay in their homes, to close their doors and their windows, and to turn off any outside ventilation," said Carroll County Spokesperson Vivian Laxton.
For those living in that one mile area, they had the option to come here, the Sykesville Fire Hall which was set up as a temporary shelter. However, many decided to go to the homes of friends and family.
One group who took advantage of the fire hall were dozens of teens and their counselors from a youth center who had no other place to go.
"The kids did real good here, so we're going to reward them, get them some ice cream, kids did real well," said counselor John Viera.
"We were concerned. The evacuation team called and let us know what was going on and we just got the kids out as soon as possible," said counselor Angela Holland.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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