Crews Try to Stabilize Derailed Train Cars; Residents Near Canyon Area Evacuated

MARTINEZ, Calif. — Emergency crews Saturday worked to stabilize freight cars that had derailed and tumbled down a canyon slope near Martinez, forcing the evacuation of residents in the area.

“Right now we’re stabilizing them [the cars] in place to make sure they’re not leaking, and then we’ll pull them out one at a time,” Contra Costa County sheriff’s Lt. Scott Daly said.

The accident occurred late Friday about 25 miles northeast of San Francisco. The 60-car Burlington Northern Santa Fe train was traveling to nearby Richmond, Calif.

At least 19 cars of the train, which was carrying gas residue and corrosive acid, derailed in the accident, prompting the evacuation of homes within half a mile of the site as a precaution. There have been no reports of injuries or leaks, and the cause of the derailment is under investigation.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. cut off service to homes in the immediate area to eliminate any possible “source of ignition,” spokesman Lyle LaFaver said.

Daly said that once the freight cars were stabilized, they would be pulled from the canyon and moved out on trucks.

“There is a risk when they start moving these things of fire and a slight risk of explosion,” Daly said.

Of the 19 cars that derailed, 10 contained liquefied petroleum gas residue, two were carrying phosphoric acid and one was full of paint, Burlington Northern spokesman Michael Martin said.