Officials watching the smoldering, twisted wreckage of a railway disaster in northeastern Ohio cautioned hundreds of local neighbors who had refused to leave to do so Sunday night, saying a rail car was at risk of exploding and launching deadly shrapnel up to a mile.
According to a statement from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office, they warned of “the risk of a catastrophic tanker failure” after a “drastic temperature shift” was seen in that rail vehicle. Teams were attempting to avert an explosion at the scene in East Palestine. It didn’t say what was in that automobile or whether it was one of those transporting dangerous products.
Anyone within a one-mile radius of the site was asked to leave immediately. Many had, but local officials stated more than 500 individuals had refused to leave, according to the statement.
Stay-at-home arrests were probable, according to CBS Pittsburgh:
#DEVELOPING: Columbiana Sheriff’s Office also warning those who do not evacuate within 1-mile radius of #trainderailment wreckage in #EastPalestine #Ohio will be arrested – whether you have kids or not… greater charges if you have kids @KDKA pic.twitter.com/k62ttMXh7o
— Lauren Linder (@lauren_linder) February 6, 2023
According to the Columbiana County Emergency Management Director, one of the derailed railway cars carrying hazardous materials has deteriorated and there is now a much greater risk of an uncontrolled release and explosion of the car.
A small explosion was seen on film early Monday morning as personnel continued to work to extinguish the burning rail cars, according to CBS Pittsburgh:
NEW: Small explosion captured by #SkyEye2 early Monday as crews continue working to put out burning rail cars in East Palestine after a train derailment Friday. Police have evacuated most of the town fearing a much larger explosion. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/v1G0tbGRVg
— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) February 6, 2023
Federal inspectors said earlier Sunday that the fiery disaster near the Pennsylvania state border on Friday night was caused by a technical problem with a train car axle.