A precautionary shelter-in-place advisement remained in a portion of Mansfield on Friday morning as officials worked to determine the next steps in removing the train cars that derailed a day earlier, including those carrying hazardous materials.
“That shelter-in-place is more of a precaution, but if you’re in that immediate area I would just try and stay inside in case there is a leak,” Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache said at a morning news briefing.
The briefing came nearly 24 hours after a freight train carrying 43 rail cars derailed shortly after 9 a.m. in the area of Route 32, according to multiple agencies. Officials gave varying numbers as the incident unfolded, but Roache said early Friday that a total of 13 cars decoupled during the derailment and 10 came off tracks. Of the six cars carrying liquefied petroleum gas, four entered the Willimantic River, according to Roache.
The train is with the New England Central Railroad, which is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. It was carrying a conductor and engineer. Neither of them were injured, officials said.
The incident triggered a major response from numerous local, state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the state Department of Transportation, a regional hazmat team, police and fire crews from the University of Connecticut and Mansfield Fire Departments, among others.
A shelter-in-place order was immediately put into effect for residents within ½ mile of the derailment with a possible evacuation order looming. Authorities early Friday said they have not detected any leaks involving the liquefied gas, but cautioned that residents in the area should remain in their homes with the windows closed and stay alert for any updates should a leak occur as the train cars are removed. The only leak detected so far involved 2,500 gallons of cooking grease, which officials said was contained at the scene.
Multiple cranes and excavators were moved into the area overnight. The initial plan was to get the cars back upright, onto their wheels and on the tracks while leaving all the materials inside them, officials said. The tracks were still being inspected on Friday to determine if they can be used.
“Everything is up in the air a little bit, The game plan appears to be going in that direction,” Roache said. “They don’t just rush in and grab the cars. They do it very methodically.”
Crews overnight placed several booms down river in the event that any materials leak while the cars are removed from the water. That process was expected to start as early as Friday, Roache said.
Route 32 has remained closed in both directions between Route 275 and Route 44 since the derailment.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation. Roache said authorities were able to retrieve the black boxes from the train.
Officials were expected to provide another update at an afternoon news briefing.