SALT LAKE CITY, March 7 (UPI) -- Thousands of Utah residents were back in their homes early Monday after emergency crews pumped out a leaky railroad car filled with industrial waste.
Some 8,000 people were evacuated in the South Salt Lake area Sunday after a mix of toxic acids was discovered eating away at the metal walls of the tank car.
The Salt Lake Tribune said Monday crews were prepared to let the unstable tank collapse before moving in; however, cooler overnight temperatures seemed to slow the chemical reactions and allowed them to pump out the remainder of the acid.
The newspaper said firefighters and Gov. Jon Huntsman expressed concern Sunday incompatible chemicals might have been mixed together in the tank, which caused the unwanted reaction.
The leak came just a week after firefighters objected to a proposal by anti-terrorism officials to remove placards from tank cars identifying what chemicals they contain.
