A railroad tanker car spilled ethanol in the city of Tracy near the intersection of Highland and Greenwood streets on early Tuesday morning, according to Tracy City Administrator Roger Gorius. The Tracy Police and Fire Department cordoned off the scene, evacuated six houses and covered the spill with foam within 30 minutes of the initial report.
"We greatly appreciate the response to this potentially dangerous situation," Gorius said.
Gorius said he heard, but could not yet confirm, that the tanker had been overfilled and the alcohol expanded and broke a seal.
- Steve Browne