Over 100 cars of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the Ohio village of East Palestine, causing over 5,000 residents to evacuate amidst fears of toxic fumes.
Five of the derailed tanker cars were carrying the dangerous chemical vinyl chloride, which put them at risk of exploding.
On Monday evening, officials performed a controlled burn of the vinyl chloride, resulting in flames and thick black smoke.
Subsequent air monitoring, however, hasn't detected dangerous levels of toxic gas either inside or outside the mile-radius evacuation zone, according to authorities.
The NY Post reports that following the analysis of air and water samples, residents were allowed to return to their homes on Wednesday.
East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick thanked the state and federal officials and agencies that helped with the emergency response over the past few days.
However, it is unclear when residents might be able to return, according to Ohio governor Mike DeWine, as monitoring of air quality outside the immediate area is ongoing.
Similarly, The Independent reports that Drabick said air and water samples taken Tuesday from the evacuation area show it's now safe and the evacuation order is lifted.
Meanwhile, AP News states that no dangerous levels of hydrogen chloride or phosgene have been detected inside or outside the evacuation zone.
These varying sources provide slightly differing characterisations of the situation, with the NY Post indicating that East Palestine has already allowed residents to return home, while The Guardian suggests that there may still be uncertainty over when residents can return.
However, all sources agree that the situation has been resolved safely, and East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick expressed his gratitude to the authorities that helped manage the incident.