Ohio's EAST PALESTINE (KDKA) — Massive flames are being fought by fire and hazmat crews after a train derailed Friday night close to the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. According to Mayor Trent Conaway, more than 50 fire departments and other organizations from three states are helping with the response in the Village of East Palestine, Ohio. It is a village with a 4,900-person population.
Around nine o'clock at night, a Norfolk Southern train derailed by the North Pleasant Railroad Crossing, prompting a call to dispatchers. Conaway claimed that it took place close to a Marathon Fuel gas station and directly behind a supplier of home heating oil. The gas station was able to quickly empty all of its fuel semis.
East Palestine quickly requested assistance from the local police and fire departments.
A group of 30 to 40 officers tried to block off traffic and evacuate a one-mile radius around the scene by moving down streets one at a time. Conaway estimated that 1,200 people reside in that area, but it's unclear how many of them abandoned their residences.
"It was a safety measure. They have a set of rules, and the railroad's preliminary manifest indicated that we could either flee or take cover. Giving the populace the option to leave was something we decided to do to be safe "Conaway declared.
East Palestine High School and the New Waterford Community Center were turned into shelters by the village. School bus drivers assisted in transporting evacuees.
Conaway estimated that it took him five minutes to reach the scene of the accident.
"Small explosions occurred, but they could have been caused by items in the boxcars. We are unsure. Regarding tankers, I don't believe any of them have blown up "Conaway declared.
According to him, the derailment involved about 20 train cars, some of which were tankers.
Firefighters began dousing the flames with water right away, but they soon encountered some problems.
"It burns easily. It's the place. The water is chilly "Conaway declared. "The water system there is the end of our system," someone said.
Conaway claimed that they shuttled water-filled tankers to keep up.
They are doing their best to put out the fire with water, but water can only do so much, according to Conaway.
Local crews also realized they would require additional support from hazmat teams and commercial enterprises.
They called in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Beaver County Hazardous Materials from Pennsylvania, Columbiana County Hazardous Materials from Ohio, six ambulance services, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the sheriff's office for Columbiana County.
To identify the chemicals in tanker cars, Columbiana County Emergency Management launched its drones into the air. They are flammable, making it even harder for firefighters to contain the flames. Investigators are still trying to figure that out.
Teams from the Shell plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, and the Ergon refinery in West Virginia came to the scene to assist local agencies by bringing foam to spray on the flames.
Conaway said the incident is putting a strain on the tiny village, but they are cooperating with the nearby agencies.
"Our police, fire, and first responders are excellent. We have a fantastic team, "Conaway declared. It's a big brotherhood here because we get along with the police and fire departments of all the nearby towns.
Additionally, it is not the typical incident that they are used to.
"It's a sizable occasion. Few firefighters have experienced this in their history or throughout their careers, so while they can train for it, they really can't prepare for something this significant "Conaway declared.
At least one commercial building was affected, but firefighters were able to quickly put it out.
No one is hurt at this time, according to Conaway, and the air is in good condition.
There was no information on the origin or destination of the train. A cause is still being looked into.
The following statement was made public by Norfolk Southern:
We are aware of the East Palestine derailment and are working closely with the area's first responders while also deploying our teams.
The EPA is in the area keeping an eye on the air quality. It is said to be in good shape.
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