Rail car leak prompts warning in South Dakota

Tag : ammonia water

MITCHELL, S.D. : Officials in a southeastern South Dakota city have asked residentsnear a leaking rail car to keep their windows closed and stayindoors.
Mitchell Police Lieutenant Don Everson said Sunday night that aparked freight car began leaking fumes from an aluminum smeltingbyproduct, but the fumes were quickly contained. He says there's nodanger to residents.
Mayor Lou Sebert says no evacuations have been ordered in the cityof about 15,000 near Interstate 90. Instead, officials askedneighbors within one block of the leak to close their windows andstay indoors.
BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas says crews hauled the rail caroutside of city limits to an unpopulated area and planned tomonitor it until Monday morning as it smoldered out.