Michigan Town Evacuated
2,200 Residents Cleared Out After Derailed Train Leaks Propane

May 28, 2002 

A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in this town of 2,200 people, prompting officials to order the city's evacuation as they tried to avoid an explosion from leaking propane.

The Grand Trunk train was carrying liquid propane and sulfuric acid when 35 of its 58 cars derailed Monday, the Eaton County Sheriff's Department said. Nine of the derailed cars were carrying propane and two others contained sulfuric acid.

No injuries were reported. Canada-based Young Environmental Systems Inc. had a crew of about 30 working through the night to halt the leaks and move the cars.

One car was spewing fuel, another had a steady leak, and a third may have been punctured, said Sheriff Rick Jones. He said any spark or surge of electricity could ignite the cars.

“If it went off, it would be like a bomb,” Jones said. “They're just trying to figure out how to release the propane without anything blowing up.”

Each propane car contained 34,000 gallons of propane gas, which is considered an extreme fire and explosive hazard, the sheriff's department said.

The derailment occurred within yards of a mobile home park and subdivision in Potterville, which is about 12 miles southwest of Lansing.

“It derailed right in front of our house,” said Kelli Barcomb, who lives with her husband and three children in the Independence Commons mobile home park. “It was kind of scary because we're usually out there and we watch it go by.”

Dozens of police and fire officials used bull horns and went door-to-door trying to clear the town and shut down all entrances to the city. The Michigan Department of Transportation shut down both highway exits to Potterville off Interstate 69, as well sections of other roads.

Consumers Energy cut off electrical service to most of the town at the request of fire officials, said utility spokesman Doug Crawford.

“Nothing like this has ever happened here, there's no way you can plan for this,” said Benton Township-Potterville Fire Capt. T.J. Richardson.

Grand Trunk is a subsidiary of Canadian National railroad. Company spokesman Ian Thomson said the cause had not been determined.

Residents with nowhere else to go were given food and water at the sheriff's office. More than 90 people and 17 volunteers were at the shelter, but several left after learning Canadian National would reimburse residents for hotel rooms.

Julie Potter arrived at the shelter about 4 p.m. with her three cats. She had been mowing her lawn when the train derailed and immediately fled.

“I'm a nervous wreck,” said Potter.

The Potterville schools have closed for the day Tuesday, the sheriff's department said.

A few people remained in town Monday night despite repeated warnings to leave, the sheriff said.

“It's not wise, not safe and it's just foolish,” Jones said.

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