CSX Train Derails at the Port of Tampa in Florida Spilling Flammable Ethanol

July 25th, 2013 |

PORT OF TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay firefighters used foam to clean up ethanol that leaked from three rail cars after an 81-car CSX train derailed at Florida’s Port of Tampa. Hazmat-trained firefighters have laid a coating of foam on top of the spill to keep it from catching fire. Equipment is being transported from Atlanta to upright the toppled railroad cars.

Photo shows Tampa firefighters working on a derailed CSX train in Tampa, Florida. The rescue team used foam to clean up ethanol that leaked from a CSX train that derailed at the Port of Tampa. According to Tampa Fire Rescue officials, 15 rail cars derailed early Thursday on July 25, 2013. Photo: Tampa Bay Police

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The accident occurred at about 1 a.m. early Thursday morning, July 25, as the CSX train traveling from Chicago was entering the port. According to officials, the train suddenly jumped the tracks, pulling 15 cars off of the rails and sending 10 of those onto their sides.

Map shows location of CSX train derailment at the main entrance to the Port of Tampa on maritime Blvd in Tampa, FL on July 25, 2013.

Emergency responders found three of the cars leaking ethanol, a flammable liquid that’s often mixed with gasoline to fuel cars and trucks. When it’s shipped by rail, ethanol is usually stored in a form that is more flammable than gasoline.

CSX spokesman Gary Sease told the Tampa Bay Times that about 4,500 gallons of ethanol spilled onto the ground when the 81-car train derailed early Thursday. Sease says the ethanol was contained to the immediate area.

Their were no injuries reported at the time of the accident.

The incident remains under investigation.

Blog post by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and Florida railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.