Norfolk Southern’s call to burn derailed train cars ‘jaw-dropping’, Senate hears

Local official tells panel of chaotic response Ohio derailment and operator's chief executive makes first appearance before Congress

Norfolk Southern's decision to call for the burning of five derailed train cars in East Palestine, Ohio, was jaw-dropping" and a consequence of poor communication by the railroad, a local emergency management official told a Senate panel on Thursday.

Eric Brewer, director and chief of hazardous materials response for the emergency services department in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, just over the state line from East Palestine, described to the chamber's environment and public works committee an initially chaotic response to the 3 February derailment.