(Syracuse, New York – November 11, 2011)
The residents of some 60 homes were evacuated and Interstate Highway 81 was shut down across a considerable portion of Syracuse, NY Friday afternoon about 1:30 P.M. when a New York, Susquehanna & Western freight train derailed and turned over two tank cars, one of which was carrying 18,000 gallons of highly flammable and explosive propane.
The evacuation involved a 1,000 foot perimeter around the site, which was dangerously close to the University of Syracuse campus. The disruption necessitated detours and re-routes for Syracuse fans going to the Orangemen’s weekend game against the University of South Florida at the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said NYS&W originally gave her an estimate that the re-railing of the cars could take as long as two days, but residents were allowed to return to their homes Saturday morning.
