At approximately 2:15 pm on 10/22/07, a train carrying 15 cars of gasoline was derailed in Middlebury, VT. Damage to the cars was minor, but several were leaking through the damaged vapor supression ventilation system.The approximate volume of the release is 1000 gallonsover a 24 hour period.
Twosmall fires which broke out immediately after the derailment were quickly controlled and extinguished with supression foam by local fire personnel.
The Middlebury VT fire chief is the incident commander. A mandatory evacuation of approximately 500 people was put into place immediately after the incident and remained in effect until the morning of 10/23/07.
EPA R1 OSC's integrated into unified command and conducted continuous air monitoring in support of the incident.
Currently, gasoline is leaking into Otter Creek, a tributary to Lake Champlain. Sorbent boom has been deployed. No water intakes or wildlife appear to be at risk.
DOI has been notified.
EPA is coordinating with ATSDR for possible exposures to the local population and re-occupation issues.
Agencies on scene: State and local hazmat. VT DEC, EPA, USDOT/FRA.
