Industrial Solvent Spill Forces Evacuation of 100
About 100 gallons of an industrial solvent spilled during a transfer from rail car to storage tank in Long Beach, and at least 100 residents were evacuated, fire officials said.
No injuries were reported from the spill, which occurred Tuesday night at the Bulk Terminal Co., said Fire Capt. Wayne Wartenberg. “It was human error, a miscalculation,” said Fire Department spokesman Bob Caldon. He said the propylene glycol methyl ether acetate overflowed a 20,000-gallon storage tank, and most of the solvent collected in a diked area. Caldon said the solvent had a strong odor, “like nail polish remover.”
Residents were evacuated to a center set up by the American Red Cross at a nearby school, and were allowed to return to their homes after about four hours, officials said.
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