A train derailment has forced hundreds of Ohio and Pennsylvania residents to evacuate their homes for fear of toxic chemicals spewing from tanker cars.

And while the situation could happen anywhere, local emergency management officials say plans are in place for such hazardous situations that could occur in Butler County.

Following the Friday, Feb. 3, derailment of five tanker cars of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, officials urged residents Monday to evacuate, or risk death, as toxic chemicals were being released to stop the possibility of the tankers exploding.

Those in 20 residences in nearby Beaver County were asked to evacuate while the chemicals were used on the cars, which have been burning since Friday.

Air monitoring so far had not detected dangerous levels of fumes in the Ohio and Pennsylvania communities near the derailment site, but residents living close to the wreckage still are not being allowed back, authorities said Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Steve Bicehouse