All-night evacuation over in Texas after train derailment spills hazardous chemicals

Evacuations ordered in Texas train spill

SCHULENBURG, Texas — Some residents of a Texas community had to spend the night away from their homes while crews contained hazardous chemicals from a derailed train.

Two rail cars containing chlorine were among 22 freight cars of a Union Pacific freight train that derailed late Monday two miles outside Schulenberg in Fayette County.

Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza says it’s unclear whether the collapse of bridges over a creek and the West Navidad River led to the derailment or were caused by it.

Authorities evacuated residents of more than 80 homes as a precaution Tuesday evening while the cars containing chlorine were being moved.

Espinoza said the county lifted the evacuation order at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

No one was injured in the derailment about 95 miles west of Houston.