Massachusetts

Train Derails, Spilling 1,800 Gallons of Fuel in Taunton, Massachusetts

A freight train engine derailed in Taunton, Massachusetts, on Wednesday morning, spilling 1,800 gallons of fuel.

The derailment occurred shortly before 8 a.m. near Mazzone Boulevard, according to fire officials. The only people on board were the crew members, and no one was injured.

The front engine of the train went off the tracks, fire officials said, causing fuel to leak into the ground. The rest of the train's cars stayed on the tracks.

The train was carrying a variety of cargo at the time of the derailment.

The derailment occurred in a wooded area and there is no threat to the public. The cause remains under investigation.

Fire officials said the track is shut down, but is for commercial use only and is not used by the MBTA Commuter Rail.

The disabled train was still in the area as of 4 p.m. Wednesday and could be there until Thursday.

"It appears the damage to the train was more substantial than initially thought," Taunton Fire Chief Timothy J. Bradshaw said. "I've been told by those working down on the tracks that removing the engine and repairing the tracks may not be done until tomorrow."

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will be bringing in equipment to remove as much of the contaminated soil as possible.

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