FELA Lawyer News Blog

HOUSTON, TX – Residents in the area of Oldham St and Sherman St in East Houston, TX had to be evacuated following a Union Pacific Train Derailment on June 30, 2013.

Several cars from a Union Pacific train derailed in Houston, TX on June 30, 2013 causing local residents to be evacuated from their homes due to possible hazardous materials .

The derailment occurred in the late evening around 8:00 p.m. on June 30th when two rail cars of a Union Pacific train crashed into each other causing another four cars to jump the tracks. A rail tie also caught fire in the mishap.

Map shows location of Union Pacific train derailment in Houston, TX at Oldham St and Sherman St.

Residents were evacuated from an area about 5 blocks by 5 blocks surrounding the derailment site – about a 25 square block area total. The evacuation area was from Canal St to the north, Harrisburg Blvd to the south, Caylor St to the west and N Cesar Chavez Blvd to the east. Representatives knocked on doors telling residents there was an evacuation order in effect.

Something was found leaking from one of the rail cars. One of the chemicals being transported was vinyl acetate, which could be dangerous and potentially irritate the respiratory system, eyes and skin.

Hazmat crews were brought in and discovered that there was no leak or threat to the environment and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

The evacuation order was lifted around 9:30 p.m. when it was determined that it was safe to return.

No injuries were reported at the time of the incident.

The incident remains under investigation at this time.

Blog post by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and Houston railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.

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