AP exclusive video, an explosion at a cargo train derailment in a Baltimore suburb that shook homes at least half a mile away is caught on camera.
Less than two weeks after The Cardinal reported on the risk of having the 9-1-1 center located only 126 feet from railroad tracks (New Arlington Heights Police Headquarters Should Combine with 9-1-1 Center Facility Away from Railroad), a train collision involving a garbage truck in Maryland caused fires and an explosion that collapsed buildings nearby.
An explosion after a garbage truck crashed into a CSX cargo train, which derailed and burned about 2:02 p.m. Tuesday in Rosedale, Maryland, caused a lot of destruction, but only injured one person. The explosion rattled homes at least a half-mile away and collapsed and ignited buildings. Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by Baltimore City Fire Department and Baltimore-Washington International Airport firefighters.
During earlier stages of the incident, as the event was evolving and fire officials assessed the threat, fire officials encouraged everyone in a 20-block radius to “shelter in place” — stay at home indoors. A strong odor of chemicals was reported up to one-half mile away. Witnesses also reported dust settled in the area.
Authorities identified the driver of the truck as John Alban Jr., a retired Baltimore County firefighter from Essex, who owns a waste collection company near the scene of the crash. Alban was rescued by firefighters and EMS personnel and transported to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, where he remains in serious condition.
Two rail cars that were carrying chemicals used to make plastic caught fire. Initially, it was reported that least one railroad car that might have been involved in the derailment contained sodium chlorate, classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a hazardous material.
There is a risk of fire and explosion in dry mixtures with other substances, especially organic materials, and other herbicides, sulfur, phosphorus, powdered metals, and strong acids. dsffffIn particular, when mixed with sugar, it has explosive properties.
Later Baltimore county Police reported that one railroad car was carrying terephthalic acid, the other was carrying fluorosillicic acid. Firefighters must cool the material in the cars with water before applying foam. The foam will blanket the fire and cut off the oxygen supply. The fire has been contained to those two cars, Car 8 and Car 9.
Hazmat experts from Baltimore County and Baltimore City fire departments, as well as from CSX, told the public that the burning chemicals do not produce toxic inhalants. However, fire officials encouraged residents to avoid excessive exposure to the smoke.
A cargo train derailed in the Baltimore suburb of White Marsh, Maryland, and a resulting explosion could be heard for miles collapsing nearby buildings, officials and witnesses told the Associated Press. Photos and video on TV stations showed a large plume of smoke rising from the area. At least three rail cars could be seen off the tracks.
GRAPHIC LANGUAGE: Roll the windows up and sh%#!
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