Photo by Ben Fassett/Examiner
Residents were turned away at one of many roadblocks after a train derailment.The room was friendly, but it was also tense. The first people came in after being driven by the Los Angeles Sheriff Department, or else turned away at one of many roadblocks that kept the flow of traffic away from the derailed train that toppled 21 of 68 cars, near the intersection of 92nd Street East and Ave. T at 1 p.m. today. Emergency services ordered a small-scale evacuation after learning that the train could possibly be carrying hazardous material.
People started coming into nearby Keppel Middle School around 4 p.m., but the air conditioning wasn’t working until much later, making the air thick and smell of fresh cut lawn from the open doors. “They seem to be bringing in the elderly, mostly,” said Tony Olivarez, a school district employee. “We’re working in conjunction with the American Red Cross,” who came bearing water and snacks around 4:30 p.m. and set up shop promptly by 5.
Lily, a young Littlerock resident, never made it home from work and was amongst the first to arrive. “I thought it was a car crash or something, at first, because I saw the roadblock – and then I tried the other way. It was kind of a shock … one of the cops told me to go to Almondale [what is now Keppel], and I figured there’d be a lot of people here. I live right by the train tracks, but nobody was home, so I think they’re all going to come here.”
Some, however, were not so lucky. Laurie also lived with her dog Elsa next to the train tracks, and was at home when the train derailed. “I live in the house closest to the actual crash itself. I heard it go down, and then my power went out – there was nothing but dust out the window … it was like being in a dust storm. But I knew it was something with the train, and I knew it was serious.” Not long after, emergency services came to get her out of the house. She was lucky enough to bring Elsa along with her.
A lot of families were not so lucky when it came to their pets, however. One little girl kept crying because she couldn’t bring her kitten with her. Another resident was concerned for her horses. “Only one of them is mine,” she said softly, “The other two are my niece’s.”
With no reported leaks thus far, officials nevertheless state that the evacuation will most likely remain in effect until Thursday.
-by Ben Fassett
