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Unified Command Announces Start Of Rail Car Removal In Paulsboro

CLARKSBORO, N.J. (CBS) – Operations to remove the breached rail car from Mantua Creek have begun, the Unified Command announced Tuesday.

"Today marks an important step in returning the last Paulsboro residents to their homes," said Capt. Kathy Moore, the Coast Guard incident commander. "We are committed to continuing cleanup efforts as safely and swiftly as possible."

Once the breached rail car is removed, officials say they will remove the three derailed cars containing vinyl chloride on the east side of the East Jefferson Bridge.

Once those four derailed cars have been removed, crews will work repair the train track and bridge before removing the two final derailed rail cars containing vinyl chloride and ethanol near the west bank of Mantua Creek.

While crews are at the scene, an evacuation order remains in place for about 30 residents who live close to the derailment site.

Anyone who has been impacted by the derailment can call the community assistance hotline at 1-800-230-7049 for help.

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