Hazmat Crews Attempting to ID and Stop Leak from Train Derailment

Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

UPDATE: (2-21-18 3:30 p.m.) Leaks have been mitigated and substances positively identified with no threat to the community. Glen Helen Pkwy open to thru traffic. Cajon Blvd. open to employees and residents only due to emergency equip on the boulevard.

SAN BERNARDINO – A train derailment in San Bernardino caused several roads and a FedEx facility to be shut down for the remainder of the day.

On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at around 9:20 a.m. numerous reports of a train derailment were made. It was reported that the derailment was in the area of the 7200 block of Cajon Boulevard. Several agencies responded to the scene including the San Bernardino County Fire Department, San Bernardino Police Department, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. When the units arrived they found a freight train with thirteen tanker cars that had derailed.

Although there was no active fire or a visible vapor cloud, a 1000 foot radius was placed around the incident scene. Around 200 workers from the FedEx facility on Cajon Boulevard were evacuated from the property for the day. HazMat Specialists are working to control any leaks from at least two of the tankers. At this time they have tentatively identified the substances involved but confirmation is still pending. No detectable levels of any hazardous substance have been detected in nearby areas. No injuries have been reported to civilians or emergency responders.

San Bernardino Police officials said that no leaking material has reached storm drains or waterways Hazmat crews have made identification of the leaking materials and stopping the leak their priority at this time. There are no mandatory evacuations of residents, but road closures may prevent some from accessing their home temporarily. Plans are being worked on in order to grant residents access to their homes.

Road closures include Cajon Blvd. between Devore Rd. and Kendall Dr. as well as Glen Helen Parkway between Cajon Blvd. and Clearwater Parkway.

For late-breaking news, follow 24/7 Headline News on our Los Angeles County Facebook group, Riverside County Facebook group, Coachella Valley News group, US News group, Victor Valley/Inland Empire Facebook group. If you like what we are doing and want regular updates on your facebook stream like our Facebook Fan Page. You may also follow 24/7 Headline News on Twitter and Instagram!