City on alert as chemical freight train derails

A freight train carrying hydrochloric acid and other hazardous materials derailed in a downtown Baltimore tunnel and caught fire, pushing thick, black smoke into surrounding neighbourhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

Civil defence sirens blared across Baltimore as firefighters donned oxygen masks to enter the tunnel. Roads were closed for several hours after the accident at the request of police and firefighters, and thousands of baseball fans were turned away from a Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards. Boats were kept out of the city’s Inner Harbour.