LAWTELL, La. — A train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Louisiana and two railcars leaked chemicals, forcing the evacuation of about 100 homes, officials said. One man went to the hospital complaining of eye irritation.
More than 20 cars of the Union Pacific train went off the tracks about 3:30 p.m. Sunday near Lawtell, which is about 60 miles west of Baton Rouge. Company spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza said one of the railcars was leaking sodium hydroxide, which can cause injuries or even death if it is inhaled or touches the skin. The other was leaking lube oil.
Master State Trooper Daniel Moreau said the leaks were contained and the amounts were so small that air pollution detectors have not picked up anything, but homes within about one mile of the derailment were evacuated as a precaution.
Governor Bobby Jindal flew into St. Landry Parish and declared a state of emergency. ''Anytime you have chemicals leaking into the environment, that's a serious issue,'' Jindal said. ''Nobody knows the extent of the damage. We'll get that in the next 24 hours.''
Another damaged car was carrying vinyl chloride, Espinoza said, but it was not leaking. Vinyl chloride is extremely flammable.
There were two people on the train: an engineer and a conductor. They were not hurt. Espinoza said a man who was near the derailment initially did not want to go to the hospital in an ambulance, but decided later to go get checked out for a burning sensation in his eyes.
''We're bringing in equipment to make sure we move all of this in the safest manner,'' Espinoza said.
The railroad company does not know what caused the derailment. Espinoza said the railroad ties were renewed in 2011 and the track was inspected about three hours before the accident.
The track runs parallel to US Highway 190. State Police said it would be closed for at least two days.