LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Residents of a Lawrence neighborhood have been allowed to return to their homes after the clean-up of a chemical spill from a derailed freight train.
About a dozen homes were evacuated for several hours after Thursday's spill and a nearby school was opened as a shelter.
The dry, granular white chemical, identified as sodium chlorate, is commonly used in the manufacture of paper pulp and as a herbicide. It is not considered dangerous unless it comes in contact with water.
Authorities said the railroad tanker car was carrying about 250,000 pounds of the chemical when it derailed.
The accident -- which is under investigation -- also disrupted MBTA commuter rail trains through the area, but service has been restored.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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