Originally published on Live5NEWS
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) – Authorities cleared a train stopped in Moncks Corner as a precaution for a suspected chemical leak.
Moncks Corner Fire Chief Robert Gass said crews found no leak. The situation began when a railroad employee near St. Stephen noticed an odor from a passing train. CSX spokesperson Sheriee Bowman said the train was immediately stopped and hazmat inspectors and the Moncks Corner Fire Department began inspecting the railcars to determine whether the source of the odor was emanating from the train. They found no leaks or breaches, she said, and the train has been safely released for movement.
“We thank Moncks Corner Fire Department for their swift, professional response,” Bowman said.
The 159-car train had some cars hauling chlorine, which led investigators to suspect chlorine could be leaking.
Out of an abundance of caution, the train was stopped and Live Oak Drive, Highway 17A, was shut down, Gass said. Traffic was being diverted down Carolina Avenue to Main Street and down Cooper Street to go back to Highway 52 during the closure.
Crews monitored the weather and wind conditions to make a plan, if necessary, to begin evacuations of nearby homes.
Officials with The Town of Moncks Corner said they worked with The Berkeley County Emergency Management Division to investigate the situation.
