BALTIMORE — Residents of Baltiimore’s Curtis Bay area have filed a class action lawsuit against CSX Transportation over the Dec. 30, 2021, explosion at the railroad’s Curtis Bay Coal Piers, claiming negligence led to the blast that released “poisonous and carcinogenic chemicals” including lead and arsenic.
WJZ-TV reports the residents are seeking $5 million in compensation.
The suit, filed Tuesday by residents Cheyenna Shongo and Kennett Walker, claims the railroad’s “intentional and unreasonable operation, maintenance, and staffing” of the Curtis Bay facility led to the explosion, and as a result, residents suffered “substantial and unreasonable impacts including discomfort so as to be unable to fully and safely use and enjoy their property.”
No one was injured in the explosion, blamed on the buildup of methane gas in an unventilated conveyor belt. It was reportedly felt miles away and caused broken windows and other damage at nearby residences. CSX has subsequently been cited for federal violations by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration [see “CSX cited for serious violations in explosion …,” Trains News Wire, July 12, 2022], and by Maryland for violation of air-pollution rules [see “State cites CSX for environmental violations …,” News Wire, July 25, 2022].
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