EAST PALESTINE – Several train cars were still burning and a mandatory evacuation zone was put in place early this morning after a train derailed and caught fire around 9 p.m. Friday night on the outskirts of East Palestine near the Pennsylvania border. About 50 cars derailed from the Norfolk Southern train that was traveling from Madison, Ill., to Conway, Pa., East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick said in an early morning press conference today. Conway set a mandatory evacuation zone for those east of Market Street to Highland and Jimtown Roads, and asked those outside the evacuation area to shelter in place. He and Drabick asked area residents to stay out of the area and keep the highways open for emergency response vehicles. “If you have to come to East Palestine – don’t,” Drabick said.
