Spills · oil

The acid, which leaked from a train tanker car in a rail yard, sent a cloud of fumes into the air, forced…

Railcar Release; Cambridge, Ma · Cambridge, Ma · NOAAORR-7320

issued
1998-07-31 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1998-08-14 00:00Z
self-cancels
1998-08-14 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
42.370, -71.109
vessels
TANKER CARTANKER CONTAINED SEVERAL COMPARTMENTS
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Railcar Release; Cambridge, MA.
Cambridge, MA.
1. The acid, which leaked from a train tanker car in a rail yard, sent a cloud of fumes into the air, forced the evacuation of two buildings, and shut down a highway. At least one man was taken to Somerville Hospital after, complaining of feeling ill. His condition was being evaluated. A crew member discovered the hydrochloric acid, leaking from a 6-inch gash in the bottom of the car, while making a routine inspection of the cars at 9:12 a.m. Cambridge fire officials first said the leak in the 66-thousand gallon white tanker car was caused by a train derailment. But when firefighters from the hazardous materials team got a close-up look, they determined that the tank split open because of a structural failure. The tanker contained several compartments, preventing its entire contents from spilling. Teams of hazardous materials specialists, dressed in plastic suits with hoods and face masks, [...]
2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: CAUSTIC HYDROCHLORIC ACID.
3. POSITION 42.370N 071.109W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7320: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7320

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