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'Suspend this company': Internet fumes as another Norfolk Southern train derails in Ohio

Over 1,500 residents were left without power, and locals living within 1,000 feet of the scene were asked to shelter in place

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO: Another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio on Saturday, March 4, after a freight train carrying dangerous chemicals crashed just last month. Following the incident on Saturday, over 1,500 residents were left without power. Locals living within 1,000 feet of the scene were asked to shelter in place.

A spokesman for Norfolk Southern confirmed that approximately 20 cars of a 212-car train derailed while it was traveling through Springfield. There are no reports of anyone being injured, and the company claimed no hazardous materials were leaked. However, reports suggested that a hazmat crew is present at the scene, according to the Daily Mail.

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'Local and state officials are on scene'

"The Clark County Emergency Management Agency is asking residents within 1,000 feet of a train derailment at Ohio 41 near the Prime Ohio Business Park to shelter-in-place out of an abundance of caution. We ask that all residents in need of travel to Ohio 41 find alternate routes. Local and state officials are on scene, including the Clark County Sheriff's Office, the Springfield Fire Rescue Division and the Springfield Police Department," the county posted on its Facebook page.

"Multiple Clark County and Ohio agencies are on site at this time, including the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Clark County Emergency Management Agency, Springfield Twp. Fire Department, Springfield Fire/Rescue Division, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Springfield Police Division," it continued, adding, "More than 1,500 residents are without power in Clark County."

It later added updates saying, "The Clark County Emergency Management Agency has asked residents within 1,000 feet to shelter in place. We have issued no evacuation orders at this time." It further added, "Norfolk Southern has told authorities that hazardous materials are not involved in this incident. First responders and emergency officials are currently working at the site to confirm their report. It’s unclear how long it will take before power is restored to nearby residents."

The East Palestine tragedy

Last month, a train carrying toxic materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Residents have been in fear for their health ever since. As many as 50 Norfolk Southern Railroad freight train cars derailed in Columbiana County on February 3, at around 9 pm. A major fire started near the track. The railroad company resorted to a controlled release of cancer-causing chemicals on February 6 in order to prevent a possible explosion.

Prior to the gases being released, hundreds of East Palestine residents were evacuated and moved from their homes. However, they have now been told it is safe to return. The toxic gases released after the train derailment include vinyl chloride, isobutylene, ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether.

'This is all about lack of maintenance'

Angry social media users reacted to the incident, with one of them saying, "This is all about lack of maintenance. The trains and the tracks. Hard to do that when you are in the process of a $10 billion stock buyback program." "Sounds like Norfolk southern is about to go bankrupt," wrote another. One said, "You'd think Norfolk Southern would fix their issues at least to avoid the bad PR by this point."

One user wrote, "Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw strikes again. If Alan Shaw wanted safer trains Norfolk Southern trains would have safer brakes without the government requiring them." "How long until anyone decides to suspend this company ‘s license?" one user said, while another wrote, "Perhaps massive lawsuits against Norfolk will change their ways."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.