NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM

Of The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan

G-OPF 2100 2nd St. S.W., Washington, DC 20593-0001

BASF Railcar

Occurrence Date:

 13 September

Location:

 Freeport, TX
NRC Report Number:   622835

Source:

 BASF Railcar

Material:

 Ammonia, Anhydrous

Severity:

 Major

Quantity Discharged:

 Unknown Amount

Quantity in Water:

 None

Body of Water Affected:

 None

Federal On-Scene Coordinator:

 EPA Region VI
Description:

At 10:35 a.m. on September 13th, 2002, the National Response Center received a report from BASF that a railcar at their plant in Freeport, Texas had exploded and was presently on fire. The rail car was carrying an unknown amount of Anhydrous Ammonia. The fire soon spread to other parts of the BASF facility and 1200 employees and community members within a one mile radius were evacuated. No injuries have been reported thus far. No known waterways have been impacted at this time, but as a precaution the Brazoria River has been closed to all traffic. CASE PENDS.