By By JOHN WALLACE
Staff Writer
Most of the streets in downtown Brewton were closed to traffic Sunday afternoon after one car of a freight train derailed.
Brewton Fire Chief Lawrence Weaver said the train was traveling southbound toward Brewton when parts of the wheels began to break apart which eventually caused the train to derail in Brewton.
No injuries were reported and Weaver said the rail tank car that derailed is used to transport maleic acid but was empty at the time of the accident. However, due to the fact that there was some residue in the tank car, Weaver said he decided to blockade streets in the area and detour traffic through the other side of town.
The car derailed at approximately 11:30 a.m., and streets remained shutdown until approximately 6 p.m.
Weaver said cranes were brought in from Mobile and Montgomery to assist in temporarily repairing the car before it could be transported to Frit Car for repairs.
Weaver said members of the Brewton Fire Department responded to the scene along with the Brewton Police Department, CSX official and officials from the Brewton Street Department.