Hazmat Team Responds To Martinez Railcar Leak

MARTINEZ, CA — An odor associated with a flammable chemical leaking from a Union Pacific train car in Martinez prompted a response from firefighters and hazardous materials specialists Thursday afternoon. The odor was reported by railcar personnel just before 11 a.m. just west of where the tracks cross Berellessa Street, according to Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Capt. Steven Aubert.

No evacuations or shelter-in-place orders were issued, but trains were prevented from moving through the area for a number of hours.

The chemical in question was identified as picoline, according to hazardous materials specialist Ellen Dempsey with the Contra Costa Health Services Hazardous Materials Programs.

The primary concern associated with the picoline was flammability, according to Aubert, but it was unlikely to catch fire without a strong ignition source.

As of 1:15 p.m., the leak was mitigated, according to Aubert.

There were no reported impacts to the surrounding community.

By Bay City News Service

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