The Painesville CSX site is an emergency response to a train derailment that resulted in a fire. The incident originated at approximately noon on October 10th. At the request of the Lake County Health Department, and in response to National Response Center report # 851242, U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA have responded to the site and are providing on site support to local incident command. The cause of the derailment is currenly unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating.
Approximately 550 residents (30 homes) remain within a 1/4 mile radius remain evacuated. Nearby elementary schools remain closed, as well. The evacuation may be lifted today, but it is not certain.
Approximately 30 railcars were involved in the derailment. Of those, eight (8) of them contained a flammable materials (ethanol, propane). In addition, phthalic anhydride was found to be contained in one of the rail cars and observed to be on fire.
At 2235 on October 10, Incident Command was advised by CSX that one of the rail cars contained pthalic anhydride and was on fire. Phthalic Anhydride is a skin irritant and inhalation hazard. Currently, the fire has been reduced, but a few cars are being allowed to continue to burn in a controlled manor.
Only one railcar contains propane, but it is not near the flames. This car is not under pressure and at this time does not pose a threat of explosion.
The plume intensity has dissipated, but continues to be monitored and sampled by CTEH and USEPA.
See previous polreps for additional information.
On October 11, beginning 1600 hours, START and CTEH conducted pH field screening of the surrounding areas of the derailment. pH values ranged from 7.5 to 9 standard units. See Figure 1 located in the figure section of the website for full results and locations.
NTSB continues to release cars for uprighting/removal as their preliminary assessment of the cars is conducted.
At 2115 on October 11, crews begin removing cars from both ends of the derailment. For a updated status of railcars please see the Rail Car Update in the Document section of this website.
At 2300 on October 11, START began using the Rapid Assessment Tools (RAT) to document and support air monitoring in the area. Air monitoring constituents included oxygen, lower explosive limits, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and hydrogen sulfide. All readings were at or below background.
Once the area around the burning Phthalic Anhydride tanker can be secured, fire extinguishment activities will be concucted. A work plan is being developed for the extinguishment, uprighting, and removal of the tanker. USEPA will review this work plan.
Continue assessment of air and water impacts from the scene. U.S. EPA is coordinating air monitoring efforts and Ohio EPA is coordinating land and water response efforts.
The evacuation of the Heisley Park neighborhood is expected to continue until the all fires have been extinguished.
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