USA
Five Southern Pacific freight cars derailed in Compton, California on December 15, 1986, prompting a 12-block evacuation around the Civic Center. Two of the cars contained highly explosive chemicals—30,000 gallons of butane and up to 1,000 gallons of ether. Authorities reported no injuries and anticipated clearing the wreckage by 8 p.m. The derailment, attributed to mechanical failure, occurred near Compton Boulevard and Willowbrook Avenue shortly before 7 a.m., forcing the closure of the Civ.. Read more »