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Shelter In Place Order Lifted In Paulsboro, New Jersey

By Tim McLaughlin

PAULSBORO, N.J. (CBS) -- A shelter-in-place order that was issued Monday morning for residents in Paulsboro, New Jersey has been lifted. The order was originally ordered Monday morning because officials said they measured elevated levels of vinyl chloride in the air -- due to Friday's train derailment and spill of that chemical (see related stories).

"When we began to detect these heightened levels, we pulled the responders, we pulled out work crews, and we pulled local officials away from the derailment site," says US Coast Guard captain Kathy Moore.

Residents were told to stay inside until the shelter in place order was lifted, which happened at about 11 a.m. Monday.

The order was viewed as a setback as officials had begun pumping the vinyl chloride from the damaged car to a safe container and had hoped to move on with the cleanup.

Officials had also hoped to hold school Monday, but were forced to keep the borough's students home because of the diminished air quality.

Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio 1060 and CBSPhilly.com for updates on this story as soon as they are avaiable.

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