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Train carrying crude derails in Pennsylvania

Officials say there is no indication oil leaking from the train has contaminated water sources.

By Gabrielle Levy

VANDERGRIFT, Pa., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A freight train carrying crude oil derailed Thursday morning in Vandergrift, Pa., hitting a building but injuring no one.

Hazmat crews and the state Department of Environmental Protection responded after reports that several overturned cars were leaking oil.

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Of the Norfolk Southern Railway train's 120 cars, 21 cars derailed, 19 of which overturned.

Dave Pigeon, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern, said the crude oil in the derailed cars is thick enough to be lifted with a shovel. He said the leak was contained before it spread to a water source.

The train hit the MSI Corp. building on the 200 block of First Street in Vandergrift around 8 a.m., where it destroyed equipment. Employees were nearby and several people were evacuated from the building.

DEP spokesman John Poister said water companies downstream of the incident along the Kiskiminetas River were notified out of an abundance of caution, but that there was no indication water sources had been contaminated.

[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

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