Authorities: chlorine leak in W.Va. under control


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NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) — A chlorine leak in West Virginia that caused evacuations and sent at least two people to hospitals is under control, authorities said Saturday.

The leak was detected Saturday morning when emergency authorities said a chemical cloud from the Axiall Corp. plant was heading south, authorities said.

Axiall said a rail tanker car loaded with liquid chlorine developed a leak inside the company's chemical facility near Proctor, according to media reports. It said the rail car was no longer leaking.

A highway was shut down for several hours but reopened Saturday afternoon. A neighborhood was evacuated, but residents later were told they could return to their homes. River traffic also was restricted but now is flowing again.

Officials said tests had determined the air quality in the area to be safe.

The company said one of its employees and a contract worker were taken to area hospitals for treatment but were later released. Others were treated at an onsite health facility.

The company said hazmat crews evaluated the railcar and area of the leak that authorities estimated to be 26 miles long.

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