DUNNELLON, Fla. – The Dunnellon City Council voted Monday night not to join Marion County in seeking a court injunction against CSX following last month’s rail tie fire.
Instead, council members voted to table the issue and revisit it at a special meeting next week.
The fire broke out Feb. 1 at a site where thousands of chemically treated railroad ties had been stored for years. Some residents had previously pushed for their removal before the fire occurred.
In the weeks since, CSX has overseen cleanup efforts at the property under the supervision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). That work has included excavation, removal of rail ties and environmental testing of soil, air and surface water.
State officials say contaminated soil has been removed and nearly 40,000 rail ties have been taken out, with the remainder expected to leave soon. Officials report that testing results so far are below state cleanup target levels and show no danger to the public.
But several residents told council members Monday night they remain concerned about possible chemical exposure.
One resident said they were hospitalized for five days following the fire and questioned whether chemicals released during the burn made them sick.
Vice Mayor Tim Inskeep said he has been working closely with CSX and FDEP and believes the cleanup is progressing appropriately.
“Pre-fire, yeah, that was pretty horrible,” Inskeep said. “Post-fire, I can tell you CSX and FDEP are gonna see this through.”
Some council members expressed concern that filing an injunction could limit the city’s involvement or lead to costly legal action while state-monitored cleanup efforts are ongoing.
Meanwhile, two Dunnellon residents have filed a class action lawsuit against the rail companies involved in storing the ties. The lawsuit seeks damages on behalf of anyone who lived within a 30-mile radius during the fire.
Council members are expected to revisit the injunction at a special session next week.