Ohio train derailment: Explosion sparks the start of 'controlled release' in East Palestine

With concerns of a potential explosion connected to the train derailment in Columbiana County, a "controlled release" of chemicals inside the railroad cars has begun on Monday afternoon. It came as Gov. Mike DeWine said the contents of five rail cars are “currently unstable and could potentially explode, causing deadly disbursement of shrapnel and toxic fumes.” The apparent release occurred around 4:30 p.m., with residents and 3News reporters reporting a large explosion along with a massive plum of smoke billowing to the sky. So how does the controlled release work? Scott Deutsch, an official with the Norfolk Southern Railroad, said it's a process that could take one to three hours. Deutsch said it begins by creating a small hole in the tank car. “This will allow the material to come out of the tank car," the official explained. "It will go into a pit and trench that we have dug and set up for this operation. Inside that trench will be flares lining that trench that then will light off the material.” Just over an hour into the controlled release, smoke still covered the skies in Columbiana County. READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/northeast-ohio/ohio-train-derailment-explosion-concerns-train-derailment-east-palestine-columbiana-county/95-1957b1ff-e6a5-423a-9885-7b710bb74077 At 3News, we’re not here to tell you the news, we’re here to share the stories that you say matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home. Follow 3News on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wkyc.channel3/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wkyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkyc3/ Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/ And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app -- At 3News, we’re not here to tell you the news, we’re here to share the stories that you say matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home. Follow 3News on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wkyc.channel3/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wkyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkyc3/ Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/ And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app