Rivco Firefighters tend To Derailment Near Mecca
Riverside County firefighters are on the scene of last night's train derailment south east of Mecca, and they expect to be there mopping up for about two more days. In the meantime, Highway 111 is completely closed.
A total of 22 cars came off the track, rupturing tankers that were carrying sulfuric and hydrochloric acid. That acid has caused fires on the wreckage, but firefighters say that so far, no one has been hurt, and the communities of Mecca and North Shore are not threatened.
The exact location of the derailment was at the intersection of Grant Street and Hammond Road. North Shore traffic bound for Mecca is being north on Cleveland Street to 70th Avenue, then west to Garfield Street and north to Avenue 66.
Evacuation of 50 people was ordered for the area, and about 15 of them were taken to the temporary evacuation center at Coachella Valley High School, where they are being taken care of by the Red Cross.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are on the scene trying to determine the cause of the derailment.
It is not yet known when Highway 111 will be reopened.