A train derailed in a town in the US state of Ohio near the border with Pennsylvania, causing a major fire, which was followed by orders for residents of the area to evacuate their homes on Friday evening, according to reports.
“At approximately 11 p.m. an evacuation order was issued in an area 1 mile from the James Street crossing, with shelter provided at East Palestine High School,” a post on the city of East Palestine , Ohio’s Facebook page said.
An earlier circular to the city just before 10 p.m. asked residents of the area to take cover.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
#BREAKING: More aerial photos from #SkyEye2 of the massive fire still burning in East Palestine, Ohio near the PA border after a train derailment. @KDKA https://t.co/y8ZM8o5FQ7 pic.twitter.com/UQ5yKve7f1
— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) February 4, 2023
KDKA TV reported that the cause of the derailment was not immediately known.
The station’s Twitter page showed police walking down the street and using a megaphone to order residents to evacuate.
The Associated Press quoted the TV station as saying that several fire departments were at the scene as flames and smoke could be seen glowing orange from a distance.
#BREAKING: Rail cars continue to burn 16 hours after a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. A mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for people within a 1-mile radius of the derailment. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. @KDKA #SkyEye2 pic.twitter.com/YoIpGyE3t8
— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) February 4, 2023
atmosphere that it was visible on KDKA TV’s weather radar, weather experts at the station said on Twitter.
The fire sent so much smoke into the Norfolk Southern Railway issued a statement saying the company was aware of the train derailment and was “coordinating closely with local paramedics while mobilizing its own teams. We will publish more details as they become available,” according to the station. KDKA.
East Palestine is located about 82 kilometers northwest of Pittsburgh.
