Train carrying hazardous chemicals derails in Atlanta; leak contained after 600 gallons spill

<br>ATLANTA (AP) _ Eight cars of a 79-car train derailed Saturday and leaked about 600 gallons of a hazardous chemical before it was contained, officials said. <br><br>Fire officials evacuated about 100

Sunday, March 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) _ Eight cars of a 79-car train derailed Saturday and leaked about 600 gallons of a hazardous chemical before it was contained, officials said.

Fire officials evacuated about 100 people from residential streets near the derailment, CSX spokesman Craig Camuso said. The residents were allowed to return to their homes about six hours later.

Hazardous materials teams were expected to work through the night to cleanup the spill.

The five cars on the train carried a corrosive chemical used in the production of nylon. The substance, hexamethylenediamine, can cause burns to respiratory tracts, eyes and skin.

A woman and her three children were taken to a hospital after they were exposed to vapors while standing at a nearby bus stop. They were fine, a fire department medical spokesman said later.

The train was traveling from New Orleans to Abbeville, S.C., CSX said.