UPDATE 1 – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023

Incident Summary

A train carrying an unknown number of rail cars and cargo derailed in East Palestine (Columbiana County), OH this evening into a building structure, stated as a gas station.

Heavy fire and large plumes of extensive smoke clouds have been reported by those on the front lines and eyewitnesses.

Date/Time Started

Calls into the 9-1-1 Communications began rolling in around 2100 hours (CST) / 1800 hours (PT) of a train derailment in the area of the 1000 block of East Taggart along the railroad tracks which travel east-to-west through town.

Incident Location

The location of the incident is in the 1000 block of East Taggart Street on the PA/OH border.

Fire Conditions

Heavy smoke was pouring into the atmosphere and could be seen on radar by weather forecaster experts.

Air Quality

Heavy smoke has been seen and showing on the radar as being pushed by the winds over to Beaver County..

Evacuations in Effect

The Mayor of East Palestine issued an evacuation order for those one mile from the train crossing at James Street to leave immediately due to health-wellbeing concerns.

Incident Cooperators

Area and mutual aid resources were responding from nearby States PA and WV and throughout the Ohio area.

Infrastructure

Power is said to be off in the area.

Transportation

Traffic closures near the fire ground are closed in both directions on East Taggart and those surrounding the area (Beaver County)

Photo Credit

Published with written permission. (c) Heather Quinn Ludwig

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog