La. Evacuations Continue as Toxic Cargo Is Burned Off
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EUNICE, La. — Demolition experts blew up two derailed railroad tankers Wednesday to burn off hazardous chemicals inside, keeping 4,100 of the 11,000 people in Eunice out of their homes for a fifth day.
Authorities decided that cleaning up the 34 derailed rail cars would be safer if their toxic cargo was burned off. “All we can do is wait for it to burn out,” State Police Trooper Doug Cain said.
The 4,100 residents were ordered to evacuate after the Union Pacific freight train wrecked Saturday, and state police said they had no timetable for their return.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality monitored Wednesday’s explosion and reported no pollution, State Police Sgt. William Davis said.
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