West News Wire: According to San Bernardino County fire authorities, a train transporting raw materials derailed in California on Monday. The Union Pacific train was empty of people, but several iron ore-filled cars derailed, according to authorities.
55 train cars, including two locomotives, derailed at 8:30 a.m. local time, according to Union Pacific authorities.
According to county fire officials, one locomotive experienced a minor leak that is currently being examined by hazmat personnel.
San Bernardino County Fire stated that there were no accidents, active fires, or environmental or public safety risks.
Iron ore did spill from the derailed cars, Union Pacific acknowledged in a statement to news reporters, but the company stressed that the substance isn’t hazardous and that there were no other hazardous materials nearby.
“The crew was not in the cab at the time of the derailment and there was uncontrolled train movement,” Union Pacific said in a statement. “The crew was not injured.”
The derailment is currently being investigated, Union Pacific said.
The incident comes more than a month after a Norfolk Southern foreign train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing vinyl chloride, ethyl acrylate and isobutylene into the environment.
Norfolk Southern officials had conducted a controlled burn of toxic chemicals from the train a few days after the derailment, which worried residents who expressed concerns they were exposed to high levels of the colorless gas vinyl chloride, which easily burns and is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Earlier this month, 28 cars of another Norfolk Southern train derailed near Springfield, Ohio, but no hazardous materials were involved, officials said.
The four empty tankers were previously carrying diesel exhaust fluid and an additive commonly used in wastewater treatment, according to Clark County, Ohio officials.
According to the United States Geological Survey, iron ore is important for steel production as it is the source of primary iron for steel and iron industries around the world.
