Hydrochloric acid spills in switchyard derailment

PASCO, Wash. (AP) — A railroad official says several cars have derailed in a switching yard and about 2,000 gallons of a toxic chemical spilled.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas says the train was moving at less than 5 mph in the Pasco, Wash., yard when seven cars went off the tracks about 5 p.m. Sunday.

He says a valve on a tanker car was damaged, allowing about 2,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid to leak out.

Melonas says there were no injuries and there doesn’t appear to be any threat to the public.

The chemical can cause respiratory problems and skin and eye irritation.

Emergency crews are cleaning the spill and putting the cars back on the tracks.

The official says the derailment has not affected operations on the mainline, which handles about 30 trains daily.