GRANITEVILLE, S.C. (AP) - Governor Mark Sanford today asked for federal disaster assistance for Aiken County in connection with a deadly train crash and chemical spill in Graniteville. Sanford asked that the county be made eligible for federal financial assistance and low-interest rate loans. State and local officials say work has begun emptying the third tanker that was carrying chlorine. Chlorine gas leaking from a damaged tanker car has been blamed for nine deaths. The car was damaged when an oncoming Norfolk Southern train crashed into cars parked on a side track.

Many of the thousands of residents evacuated from a one-mile area around the crash site awaited word today on when they would be able to return to their homes. Four schools outside the evacuation area reopened today. Avondale Mills has reopened some operations outside the evacuation area.

Teams from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Natural Resources Department still were assessing reported fish kills in Langley Pond. Norfolk Southern will be responsible for disposing of any dead fish.