Caustic-soda spill spurs Tacoma evacuations

Associated Press

TACOMA — About 300 gallons of caustic soda spilled Thursday afternoon from a container truck, fire officials said. Several bystanders were treated for breathing problems.

Several nearby businesses were evacuated from the area northeast of the Tacoma Dome, and surrounding surface streets were temporarily closed, said fire Lt. Andy Leitner.

Some bystanders were treated at the scene for breathing difficulties and eye problems, Leitner said. He didn’t know whether anyone had been transported to a hospital.

The spill occurred shortly after noon. Tacoma firefighters put down sand on the soda.

The spill affected the evening runs of Sound Transit’s commuter rail service between Seattle and Tacoma.

Trains headed south from Seattle’s King Street Station and normally concluding their run at the Tacoma Dome station were told to make their last stop in Puyallup on Thursday evening, Sound Transit spokesman Lee Somerstein said. Arrangements were made to bus passengers to the Tacoma Dome station.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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