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El Cajon Train Derailment

SSC Evening Report - Feb. 05, 1996 -  - On-Scene: - Scott Stolz CASSC -  - Situation
Update: - •  Work today was put on hold when late evening last night the tanker car
containing the Butyl Acrylate was observed "rumbling"  this, and elevated temperatures,
prompted concern that the product could be undergoing a chemical polymerization, a
condition that could cause an explosive detonation of the tanker car.  This caused the re-
establishment of the half mile exclusion zone with the closure of Interstate 15, state
road 138, and the three area railways, and the evacuation of local structures including
the hotel where the SSC was located.  Specialists from Roman and Haas, the chemical's
manufacturer were brought on site and thermal sensing instruments were obtained.  The
temperatures were observed remotely through the day, rising from about 110°F to as high as
177°F.  At some time a whitish foam like substance was observed escaping from some area on
the tank.  Experts were eventually brought in to cause a "controlled opening" of the tank
using small shaped charges.  The idea was to eliminate any chance of an over pressure
detonation of the tank which was already of questionable integrity due to its extended
exposure to the extreme temperatures of the fire.  At about 2142 this was accomplished.
The tank was opened and no ignition was caused.  at last observation, about 600 gallons of
product had drained, and a majority of the remaining seems to be solidified in the tank.
Air sampling was conducted on the road ways, and a reopening set for 2400.  Tomorrow will
begin again with wreckage and soil removal, and the start of soil, water, and air sampling
and monitoring programs.-  - Items of Concern: - •  Items from initial report remain, the
How clean is clean for soil will become a larger concern as the incident shifts from
response to remediation.-  - Contact Information: - Command Post- Morman Rock Forestry
Station - (619) 249-3177 - CDF Mobil Command Center (at Command Post) - (619) 249-6918 -
FAX (619) 249-8818 -  - SSC at Ramada (909) 887-3001 room 124 - cellular (310)721-1765