NE Ohio Train Derailment: Massive explosion at start of controlled release of chemicals

EAST PALESTINE — UPDATE @ 8:15 p.m.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said Monday night everyone in a two-mile radius of the train derailment scene in Northeast Ohio has been asked to shelter in place, according to our sister station WPXI in Pittsburgh.

>>PHOTOS: Massive explosion at start of controlled release of chemicals at train derailment

He said he also spoke with President Biden Monday evening about the situation.

A massive explosion happened at the scene of the train derailment late Monday afternoon, WPXI reported.

This was a controlled explosion as officials released gas from one of the cars that was derailed Friday night in northeast Ohio.

A fireball could be seen shooting into the sky followed by dark black smoke.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DeWine issues evacuation notice for East Palestine following train derailment

We will continue to provide updates.

UPDATE @5:05 p.m.

A massive explosion happened at the scene of the train derailment, according to our sister station WPXI in Pittsburgh.

>>PHOTOS: Massive explosion at start of controlled release of chemicals at train derailment

This was a controlled explosion as officials released gas from one of the cars that was derailed Friday night in northeast Ohio.

A fireball could be seen shooting into the sky followed by dark black smoke, WPXI reported.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DeWine issues evacuation notice for East Palestine following train derailment

We will continue to provide updates.

UPDATE @4:55 p.m.

Governor Mike DeWine said Norfolk-Southern Railroad crews carried out a controlled explosion of the five railroad cars at risk of explosion around 4 p.m., according to our news partner WOIO in Cleveland.

>>PHOTOS: Train derailment in eastern Ohio causes huge fire

After the explosion, officials said the chemicals are supposed to be directed into a trench, which will then be lit on fire.

Besides the possibility of deadly shrapnel, which could travel up to a mile, officials are also concerned about the chemicals being released into the air and the main chemical they are concerned with is vinyl chloride, WOIO reports.

DeWine said residents closest to the crash site are at “risk of death” if they do not evacuate immediately. Crews are knocking on doors in the area, making sure residents are out of their homes.

Experts are evaluating the status of the air quality, ground-water quality, fish and wildlife.

We will continue to provide updates.

UPDATE @3:10 p.m.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro have ordered an immediate evacuation in a one mile radius surrounding East Palestine in Northeast Ohio.

This includes surrounding parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania following a train derailment Friday night, according to a spokesperson for Governor DeWine.

>>PHOTOS: Train derailment in eastern Ohio causes huge fire

The vinyl chloride contents of five rail cars are currently unstable and could potentially explode, causing deadly disbursement of shrapnel and toxic fumes.

Norfolk Southern Railroad is planning a controlled released of the vinyl chloride at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon, DeWine said at a news conference earlier this afternoon.

The purpose is to alleviate the risk of uncontrollable shrapnel from an explosion.

The controlled release process involves the burning of the rail cars’ chemicals, which will release fumes into the air that can be deadly if inhaled.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DeWine issues evacuation notice for East Palestine following train derailment

Based on current weather patterns and the expected flow of the smoke and fumes, anyone who remains in the red affected area is facing grave danger of death, according to the governor’s office.

Anyone who remains in the yellow impacted area is at a high risk of severe injury, including skin burns and serious lung damage.

The areas at risk include eastern East Palestine, including Parker, South Pleasant, BFI Access Road, Taggart Street, North Pleasant Road, Failor Road, and East Martin, east of Pleasant.

Those with children in their homes who decline to evacuate may be subject to arrest, according to the Columbiana Sheriff’s office.

>>PHOTOS: Huge flames, heavy smoke billows from train derailment in East Palestine

It is believed that most individuals have already left the impacted areas, but law enforcement in both states are currently working to ensure that all individuals have left the vicinity prior to the controlled release, the governor’s office said.

Depending on the exact amount of material currently inside the rail cars, the railroad estimates that the controlled release of chemicals could burn for one to three hours.

It is unknown when residents will be able to return to their homes but an announcement will be made when it is safe to return, according to the governor’s office.

We will continue to provide updates.

-INITIAL STORY-

Officials will be doing a controlled release of the chemicals inside the tankers containing hazardous materials this afternoon, according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

>>PHOTOS: Train derailment in eastern Ohio causes huge fire

DeWine said there is concern about a “catastrophic explosion” with one or more rail cars following a train derailment in Northeast Ohio Friday night, according to our sister station WPXI in Pittsburgh.

He has been in contact with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

Both governors decided on a 3:30 p.m. controlled chemical release and everyone in a risk zone has been ordered out, WPXI said.

Officials say the radius for this controlled release could widen if weather changes including wind pattern and precipitation.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DeWine issues evacuation notice for East Palestine following train derailment

Flames continue to burn out of control from the heap of the rail cars tossed across and on top of each other, WPXI reports.

About half of the 100 cars from this freight train traveling from Madison, Illinois to Conway, Pennsylvania derailed Friday creating this massive blaze, according to officials.

“I went outside on the porch and looked and saw flames shooting about 20 feet in the air,” said Keith Everson.”

>>PHOTOS: Huge flames, heavy smoke billows from train derailment in East Palestine

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by NTSB. Federal investigators say a preliminary review says two videos show a mechanical issues within the railcar axle.

“We are working to identify which railcar experienced a potential mechanical issue for further examination,” said Michael Graham, NTSB member.

At least 20 cars were carrying hazardous chemicals, according to WPXI.

There’s a potential of an explosion and folks within a mile radius have been forced to evacuate, according to Governor Mike DeWine.

An evacuation order was issued Sunday night for the people who live a mile within the area of the train derailment.

“We are at a risk now of a catastrophic failure of that container,” said Keith Drabick, East Palestine Fire Department.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 50-car train derailment causes big fire, evacuations in Ohio

A drastic change in temperature inside one of the toppled rail cars prompted the evacuation notice.

“This catastrophic failure will, if it occurs, will produce hydrogen chloride and phosgene gas into the atmosphere,” said Drabick. “We need you to leave. Now.”

Road blocks are being manned by law enforcement and an evacuation shelter is open at the Junior/Senior High school, the City of East Palestine posted on its Facebook page.

Police went door to door Monday, making sure people are following an evacuation order put in place Sunday night, according to our sister station WPXI in Pittsburgh.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Train derailment in eastern Ohio causes huge fire; residents evacuated

The City of East Palestine’s air and water quality are safe and the state’s environmental agency would remove any containments from nearby streams, according to East Palestine’s Mayor.

The smell in the air is giving people concern.

“Is it safe for everybody to go back home?” Everson asked. “Is it safe to be anywhere within the blocked off area?”

News Center 7′s Letitia Perry says most people in the evacuation zone have left the area but more than 500 have not.

All schools and office in East Palestine are closed for Monday.

Pennsylvania Schools in the Beaver Falls and Western Beaver School District in Midland had an early dismissal on Monday, WPXI reported.

We will continue to provide updates.

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Train Derailment Ohio This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar)

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PHOTOS: Huge flames, heavy smoke billows from train derailment in East Palestine Flames can pour out of the scene of a train derailment in East Palestine. This photo was shared by a member of the City of Beaver Falls Fire Department who helped their neighbors in East Palestine.

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