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On October 3, 2003, the National Response Center (NRC # 701437) reported to the EPA a train derailment at railroad mile post 63.8, near the community of Fruitland, Montague County, Texas. The Potentially Responsible Party (PRP), The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) stated that approximately 35 cars derailed, one containing 60% hydrogen peroxide residue that had released product onto an adjacent railcar containing lumber, causing a fire. One railcar containing isopropyl alcohol residue derailed in close proximity to the burning lumber car. One locomotive also derailed discharging diesel fuel.
The Bowie, Sunset, and Alvord fire departments responded to fight the fire on the lumber car. By 1200, the fire department had substantially extinguished the fire. Only a small lumber pile was still burning, awaiting removal of one rail car.
On October 3, 2003, EPA mobilized to the incident location to conduct an investigation. Eagle Environmental, BNSF contractors, contained the release of diesel fuel and transferred approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel remaining in the locomotive fuel tank into a vacuum truck. According to the PRP, the contents of the isopropyl alcohol car volatilized into the atmosphere. The derailment caused a gash in the side of the hydrogen peroxide railcar, causing the release.
On October 3, 2003 at approximately 1030 hours Hulcher Services, UP contractor, began removing and re-railing cars.
BNSF contracted with Eagle Environmental to vacuum and remediate the diesel fuel spill.
BNSF also contracted with Hulcher to upright and rerail cars and assist in replacing damaged track.
State representative from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and TXDOT, as well as representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) are on site monitoring remediation activities.
BNSF and its contractors will continue to remediate fuel spill and rerail cars, and replace damaged track. BNSF is optimistic the track will be back in service late tonight (10/03).
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