Decision to burn chemicals after Ohio derailment under scrutiny at hearing

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

The decision to vent and burn five train cars’ carcinogenic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, in February came under renewed scrutiny Thursday as federal investigators questioned officials in the community still reeling from the aftermath of a toxic train derailment.

The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, on Thursday held the first of two days of investigative hearings in East Palestine, a village of around 4,700 near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border where the Feb. 3 derailment occurred.

It was revealed Thursday that Norfolk Southern’s train twice needed repairs by mechanical personnel the day before the derailment in East Palestine, according to investigators, who say fire from the train was seen on camera as far as roughly 26 miles from the derailment site.

An overheated wheel bearing appears to have been the cause of the derailment, which involved 38 rail cars, the NTSB has said. Eleven cars carrying hazardous materials ignited and fueled fires, it said. Federal investigators also published a trove of files Thursday as they began questioning railroad, first responder and other officials in person.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/decision-burn-chemicals-ohio-derailment-scrutiny-hearing-rcna90728

[Bayard]

1. Oh yeah--that was a good idea

Contaminate land, water, AND air.

[Stargazer99]

3. Can't endanger profits you know...your life and health means nothing to capitalism uncontrolled

[2naSalit]

2. That was such a stupid idea.

Seems the RR execs thought they could hide the evidence? ...whatever they claimed, it was equally as stupid.

[Deminpenn]

4. This was the best of bad options

The temp in the tanker cars was rising and some of the pressure relief valves had been damaged by the fire.

But maybe the good residents of East Palestine would rather have had the tanker cars explode.

FTR, my township abuts the areas affected.