Aug. 23--A single railroad tanker car carrying 23,000 gallons of a solvent derailed on the South Side this morning, causing the evacuation of about a dozen homes and the closure of Parsons Avenue while the car was righted.
The car had been filled with methyl acetate when the liquid shifted and a brake loosened, said Battalion Chief Patrick Ferguson of the Columbus Division of Fire.
The tanker traveled a short distance -- apparently no more than about two blocks -- before hitting a runoff track designed to derail uncontrolled cars. The tanker tipped on its side about 11:30 a.m., east of Parsons Avenue and Hosack Street.
None of the solvent leaked, Ferguson said.
Firefighters evacuated about a dozen homes and six businesses in the area out of an "abundance of caution," said a Columbus police officer on the scene.
Johnny Davis, 54, a Hosack Street resident, said he heard the derailment and checked out the tanker before calling 911.
"I didn't see anything leaking, didn't smell anything," he said.
Parsons Avenue was closed and a larger area around the derailment site was evacuated about 3:45 p.m. while the tanker was righted and the solvent loaded onto another car.
By about 6 p.m., people were allowed back in their homes, and Parsons was reopened.
jeb.phillips@
dispatch.com
Copyright 2013 - The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
