Evacuees from California chemical spill go back home

Investigators check the scene of the spill

July 14, 2000
Web posted at: 9:13 a.m. EDT (1313 GMT)

YERMO, California (CNN) -- Evacuated residents in the Mojave Desert town of Yermo, California, were allowed to return home Friday morning, hours after a chemical spill spread toxic fumes.

At least 1,000 people were evacuated Thursday night after hydrochloric acid was mistakenly mixed with jet fuel at a Union Pacific rail yard, causing two workers to be stricken with respiratory problems. They are reported in stable condition.

The chemical spill was reported at about 6 p.m. and evacuations within a one-mile radius of the rail yard began about 9:30 p.m. Evacuees were asked to stay at a high school until the area was deemed safe.

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The evacuation was canceled at around 12:15 a.m. Friday.

The 3,000 gallon spill occurred when the two workers were transferring the acid from a truck into a rail tanker that already contained jet fuel, said Gloria Street, a spokeswoman for Desert Communications.

Yermo is a small town located east of Barstow in the Mojave Desert.

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