Train derailment in Worcester sends ethanol tankers into industrial building, prompting hazmat response

WORCESTER – Emergency crews responded to a train derailment in a Worcester freight yard Sunday afternoon after two ethanol-filled tanker cars slid off the tracks, struck an industrial building, and prompted a hazmat response, according to Live Boston News and Spectrum News Worcester.

The derailment occurred just before 12:30 p.m. in a freight yard off Kansas Street. Six rail cars derailed in total, with two tanker cars sliding down a hill and colliding with the rear of an adjacent industrial building on Quinsigamond Avenue. The Worcester Fire Department evacuated the building as a precaution, but officials confirmed that there was no structural damage and no leaks from the train cars.

Despite no immediate hazard, a Tier 1 hazmat response was activated, and a foam truck from Westborough was requested. Resources from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency were also deployed to assist.

The Providence and Worcester Railroad stated that there were no injuries and no threat to the public. “Emergency responders are on the scene with some of our employees working on a plan to rerail the cars,” a spokesperson said. “An investigation into the incident is also underway. We ask everyone to stay clear of the scene so that responders can work as efficiently as possible.”

Worcester Deputy Fire Chief Adam Roche confirmed that the derailed tankers contained ethanol and that hazmat teams were on standby as a precaution.

“We don’t encounter this frequently, we did call the state hazmat team,” Roche said. “We have members of the team standing by as a precaution. We’ve checked the building, the structural integrity of the building is intact, so there’s currently no hazard to the neighborhood or surrounding buildings.”

As a safety measure, power to the affected building was shut off following the derailment. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.