Multiple fire departments have responded to a chemical release in Wood River.
On Wednesday afternoon, Norfolk Southern responded to a stationary rail car containing spent sulfuric acid that had become over pressurized and was venting, according to Jeff DeGrass of the railroad. The car was part of a group of five cars originally picked up from the Phillips 66 refinery and staged while awaiting pick up by KCS Railroad, he said. Late Wednesday and early Thursday, Wood River police and fire were joined at the scene by the Madison County Emergency Management Agency Command Post, Norfolk Southern personnel, hazardous material contractors and first responders from multiple communities were on-scene assessing the situation, monitoring air quality and developing containment plans.