Ohio
Safety chair: Burn and vent after 2023 East Palestine, Ohio train derailment wasn’t needed
Controlled burn video shows fire after East Palestine derailment
The National Safety Transportation Board released videos of a controlled burn of chemicals in the aftermath of the East Palestine derailment.
National Safety Transportation Board
A controlled burn of hazardous chemicals carried out after the derailment last year of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, was unnecessary, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s chief executive.
Norfolk Southern contractors’ recommendation to carry out a controlled burn lacked scientific reasoning, discounted available temperature data and contradicted expert feedback, agency Chair Jennifer Homendy said Wednesday.
Homendy’s comments were in response to questions from Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance, during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing.
Oxy Vinyls, the company shipping the chemicals, advised Norfolk Southern and its contractors that there was no justification to do a controlled burn, Homendy said, adding the tank cars had begun to cool.
Homendy said Gov. Mike DeWine and the incident commander were given incomplete information when deciding to vent and burn the five tank cars containing vinyl chloride.
“They were left out of the room,” she said of Oxy Vinyls’ experts. “The incident commander didn’t even know they existed. Neither did the governor.”
DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney said the governor and incident command were presented with two options: vent and release the vinyl chloride or risk an uncontrolled explosion that would send shrapnel flying around the area.
Tierney said no one suggested they could wait for the tanks to cool down.
“It’s somewhat ludicrous to think that somebody on the ground in East Palestine didn’t know how to get information to the people making decisions,” Tierney said. “That’s where the governor’s frustration is.”
The final decision to do a controlled burn came from the incident commander with input from the railroad along with local, state and federal authorities, Norfolk Southern said in a statement.
“The top priority of everyone involved was the safety of the community, as well as limiting the impact of the incident,” the statement reads. “The successful controlled release prevented a potentially catastrophic uncontrolled explosion that could have caused significant damage for the community.”
Environmental testing in coordination with federal and state environmental protection agencies has shown the community’s air and drinking water is safe.
President Joe Biden visited East Palestine last month to praise what he called a “Herculean” cleanup and make a show of drinking the tap water.
A total of 38 rail cars came off the tracks during the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment, including 11 that were carrying dangerous chemicals.
At least five different chemicals were carried in rail cars that derailed, according to a letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Norfolk Southern. The chemicals included vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and isobutylene.
Vinyl chloride is a chemical used to make PVC pipes and is considered a carcinogen. Exposure to vinyl chloride is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer as well as brain and lung cancers.
Burning vinyl chloride creates the toxic gas phosgene and hydrogen chloride. The gases were used as weapons during World War I.
Various videos of the controlled burn show pillars of fire and subsequent thick, black smoke engulfing the immediate surrounding area.
Roughly 2,000 residents were forced to temporarily evacuate from their homes after hazardous chemicals were released into the soil, water and air. Some still worry about the long-term health and economic effects of the derailment.
“This is outrageous. This explosion – which devasted so many – was unnecessary. The people of East Palestine are still living with the consequences of this toxic burn. This is more proof that Norfolk Southern put profits over safety & cannot be trusted,” Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown said in a written statement.
Norfolk Southern said it has spent more than $1.1 billion in its response to the derailment. Since the fire began, the company says it has invested $103.2 million in the community, including $21 million distributed to residents.
Columbus Dispatch staff writer Max Filby contributed to this report.
Piketon, Ohio (WSAZ) – Folks in southern Ohio are waking up to power outages and road closures.
Route 32 in Pike County is down to one westbound and one eastbound lane due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are also dealing with tree limbs on roadways.
The Athens County 911 dispatcher told WSAZ that it’s not believed a tornado touched down, but there is storm damage.
The dispatcher said storm damage from flooding and trees being knocked down has affected US 50.
Power outages are being reported in Athens, Pike, Vinton, Scioto and Meigs Counties and even as far south as Boyd County, Ky.
If you’re in a tornado warning area, you’re urged to get to the lower part of your home.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.
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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Clarence Burley, II, affectionately known as “Lil Man,” entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 60, at Summa Health Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Born on May 22, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio, Clarence was the beloved son of Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley.
He attended Ursuline High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.
Clarence was a hardworking and dedicated man who spent many years employed at Classic Optical Corporation as a Lens and Frame Specialist. Known for his skill and precision, he was recognized as one of the top lens shapers during his tenure with the company. He also worked for Goodwill Industries, where his exceptional work ethic earned him recognition and awards for outstanding service.
A devoted fan of the Oakland Raiders, Clarence enjoyed football, boxing, roller skating, and bowling. In his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer. He loved life and cherished spending time with family and friends. Whether enjoying a cruise vacation, visiting the lake to admire the water, debating sports statistics from A to Z, or simply sharing laughter with loved ones, Clarence brought joy wherever he went.
Known for his impeccable style, Clarence was often dressed to perfection. He was especially proud of his many Cadillacs, but none more than his beloved Cadillac Seville, affectionately known as “the baby caddy.” He could often be found cruising through the city, listening to music and enjoying the ride. His infectious smile, strength, humor, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
In 1999, Clarence met the love of his life, the former Cathy Winphrie. Their friendship blossomed into a lasting bond, and they were united in holy matrimony in 2015. Together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and cherished memories.
Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Cathy Burley; his children, Shannie (Meisha) Burley of Atlanta, Georgia; DeShawn Burley (fiancée Ziah) of Warren, Ohio; Eddie W. Matthews; and Montell Cochrane; his beloved grandchildren, Zaira, DeShawn, Jr., Deondra, Audrionna, Eddie, Jr., Quiara, Azel, Anyia, Marquel, Aiden, Adalese, Meadow, and Amatureas; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Eula Winphrie; brothers-in-law, James (Jamie) Winphrie and Timothy (Kori) Winphrie; sisters-in-law, Regina Winphrie and Azella Burley; niece Helleenia Winphrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley; his brother, Wesley Burley; and his grandmother, Carrie Davis.
Though Clarence’s earthly journey has ended, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind. His strength, perseverance, laughter, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8
A homegoing celebration will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church , a visitation with the family will be 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home. For additional information, please call (330) 743-4098.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A couple that was charged after investigators say they abandoned two dogs and a cat at an apartment in Warren entered guilty pleas in Warren Municipal Court this week.
Courtney Iser pleaded guilty to three counts of abandoning animals and two counts of cruelty to companion animals, and Isaiah Gilbert pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to companion animals. Sentencing is set for July 7.
The two were charged in May after the animals were found in unsafe and unhealthy conditions without food or water at an apartment on South Street SE. Police were called to the apartment on reports that the animals had been left without care. Iser was charged first, and Gilbert was charged a short time later.
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