HAZMAT Incident: Railcar leaks Propane Gas in Pocopson
By Captain Adam Cressman
January 29, 2010
On Thursday morning, January 28, 2010, the Longwood Fire Company was dispatched along with HAZMAT Team 15 for a reported railcar leaking LPG behind the Brandywine Hardware Store in Pocopson. Rescue 25 responded and Captain Cressman immediately started up an additional engine and rescue on the assignment.
Upon arrival, crews performed a rapid investigation and determined that there was in fact a 33.000 gallon railcar venting non-odorized LPG. This railcar was one of several in a chain, and was being staged on the tracks immediately adjacent to the Brandywine Hardware Store and Pocopson Post Office. Extra precautions were also being taken due to the close proximity to the Pocopson Elementary School as this presented a high-occupancy situation.
As crews investigated further and began evacuations, Captain Cressman established Brandywine Command and requested 2 additional engines to the scene along with a fire police task force and COMM 1.
Crews continued investigating the incident with the guidance from the county HAZMAT team. Assistant Chief McCarthy assumed operations, Deputy Chief Bisson assisted the Incident Commander, and Fire Police Captain Skean took a lead role on evactions and securing a perimeter.
Representatives from East Penn Rail Company arrived on scene within thirty minutes and offered technical assistance. It was determined that the railcar was leaking from a loose valve which was quickly secured. The situation was placed under control thirty five minutes after arriving on scene. Additional gas readings were made which came back clean, and crews returned to station shortly before noon. The Pocopson Elementary School was not evacuated.
The Longwood Fire Company would like to thank the Chester County HAZMAT team, Po-Mar-Lin, West Chester, West Bradford, and Kennett Fire Companies for their fire, rescue, and fire police assistance.
