Ohio residents kept out as officials monitor the air from debris from derailed train

Ohio Gov. Mike Devine said Tuesday it is unclear when evacuees from East Palestine will be able to return home after Monday’s controlled release of toxic chemicals from vehicles that were part of a train derailment last week.

Local authorities released and burned poisonous chemicals from the wreckage of the train. Residents near the site, close to the Pennsylvania line, were ordered to leave due to the risk of death or serious injury from noxious fumes.

DeWine told Fox & Friends Tuesday morning that officials are closely monitoring air quality outside the immediate area and that “so far so good.” Members of the Ohio National Guard in protective gear are expected to be sent to an area closer to the scene, with sensors to check the air, he said.

Residents outside the evacuation zone in East Palestine and in neighboring Beaver County, Pennsylvania have been urged to shelter in place and stay at home as a precaution.

Controlled burning of toxic chemicals would release phosgene, a highly toxic gas that was used as a weapon during World War I, into the surrounding area.

The train derailment and the resulting large fire prompted an evacuation order and a declaration of a state of emergency in East Palestine last week.

Footage taken by Elizabeth Parker Sherry on February 3 shows large plumes of smoke rising from the city as emergency services arrived at the scene.

About 50 vehicles derailed in East Palestine as the train was carrying various cargo from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, rail operator Norfolk Southern said in a statement Saturday. There was no immediate information on what caused the crash, but no casualties were reported.

Norfolk Southern said the train was carrying more than 100 cars, 20 of which were classified as carrying hazardous materials, defined as cargo that could pose any hazard, “including flammable, combustible or environmental risks.”

This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press and Storyful contributed.

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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.

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