LAFAYETTE, La. — Six cars of a freight train derailed Saturday, including one that began leaking hydrochloric acid, causing thousands of people to evacuate homes, businesses and a nursing home within 1 mile of the wreck.
The spilled acid sent a toxic cloud over the area, and at least five people, including two railroad workers, were taken to a hospital and treated after complaining of skin and eye irritation, said Lafayette Parish sheriff’s Lt. Craig Stansbury.
An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 gallons of the acid was spilled, said Joe Faust, a spokesman for the Texas- based BNSF Railway. Faust did not speculate on how long the cleanup might take but said residents wouldn’t be allowed back into the area until officials were certain the hazardous material was gone.
