Lawsuits filed after chemical incident in Orange County rail cars – Orange Leader

The first lawsuits and injunctions have been filed in connection with the chemical accident at Eagle Railcar Services in Orange, which led to a curfew in much of Orange County.

Beaumont-based law firm Brent Coon and Associates made the announcement in a press release on July 19.

According to the press release, Brent Coon and Associates has filed the first of a series of lawsuits related to the alleged controlled flaring of a railroad car filled with ethyl acrylate.

The company also filed a temporary restraining order, signed by District Judge Courtney Arkeen, prohibiting the tampering with or destruction of any evidence related to the incident and granting access for inspection of the affected area and equipment.

The press release included a statement from Brent Coon, the firm’s lead attorney and founder. His statement read as follows:

“This is another part of the ongoing saga of highly volatile and carcinogenic products being dumped, leaked, vented or spilled into our local environment. It happens with tragic regularity and goes unnoticed unless it results in a catastrophic situation where dozens of people are hospitalized or ordered to stay in homes without air conditioning, often in 100 degree heat for hours or days. Our firm has dealt with very similar situations hundreds of times in cases across the country, and even recently in the region with the KCS toxic chemical train derailment in Mauriceville just two years ago and the infamous TPC refinery explosion in Port Neches that resulted in the mandatory evacuation of over 25,000 people.”

Orange County residents were placed under a nearly seven-hour curfew on July 18 after a railroad car loaded with ethyl acrylate was subjected to a controlled flare-up, officials said.

At around 1:14 p.m., the Orange County Emergency Management Agency urged residents of West Orange, Bridge City and Orangefield to evacuate due to a strong chemical odor being reported. The smell was described by many as similar to that of nail polish remover, and some residents reported on Facebook that they were experiencing headaches or nausea.

County and city officials worked for the next several hours to determine the source of any potential chemical leaks. After consulting with local refineries and chemical plants, as well as considering emissions reports from the National Weather Service, it was determined that the source was an Eagle Railcar Services rail car on Foreman Road in Orange.

Officials said a controlled flare was conducted in the train car, releasing ethyl acrylate into the air and causing the odor.

If inhaled, the chemical can cause adverse health effects such as nose and eye irritation, nausea, headaches and gastrointestinal problems.

At least three people received emergency medical treatment at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. They were disinfected and monitored for symptoms before being eventually released.

At 8 p.m. that evening, the Orange County Department of Emergency Management lifted the curfew after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality declared it was safe to do so.

A press release from the OCEM states that after rigorous testing and continuous monitoring of air quality, the joint management of all authorities involved determined that ethyl acrylate levels were no longer detectable in the affected area. The curfew was then lifted.

“We sincerely appreciate the patience and cooperation of all citizens during this event,” said Orange County Judge John Gothia. “Our priority remains the safety and protection of our community, and we commend everyone for their resilience and understanding.”