A dangerous chemical known as vinyl chloride which leaked in the crash was burned before it could explode.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64663531?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Burning vinyl chloride can also produce dioxins, which are known to cause cancer, infertility, Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease and immune disorders.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/health/east-palestine-derailment-health-issues.html

In other words, the chemicals that were in cars that had not leaked were released to prevent an explosion, and vinyl chloride was poured into a trough and burned to contain its spread.

Source: https://thehoya.com/explainer-health-and-environmental-impacts-of-the-ohio-train-derailment/

Of course, in the dithering prior to lighting it up, enough vinyl chloride leached into streams feeding the big river to kill countless fish.

Source: https://www.lewrockwell.com/2023/02/james-howard-kunstler/oh-lightning-i-command-thee-to-smite-my-foe/

On top of that, there are reports of fish dying in nearby waterways, but vinyl chloride is practically non-toxic to fish.”

Source: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/03/16/climate-group-linked-to-establishment-media-seeks-to-shift-blame-for-east-palestine-train-disaster-to-advance-radical-green-agenda/

The developments came nearly three weeks after more than three dozen freight cars — including 11 carrying hazardous materials — derailed, prompting an evacuation and the intentional release and burn-off of toxic vinyl chloride in five of the rail cars.

Source: https://www.kurv.com/epa-orders-norfolk-southern-to-clean-up-toxic-derailment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=epa-orders-norfolk-southern-to-clean-up-toxic-derailment

The Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, of a Norfolk Southern train carrying vinyl chloride and other toxic chemicals ignited a fire that forced nearby residents to evacuate their homes and killed more than 43,000 fish and animals in the area.

Source: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/04/29/outdoors/train-derailment-fishing-fuel-joam40zk0w/

“The train that derailed was carrying highly toxic vinyl chloride, which I think is something Trump recommended as a cure for COVID.”

Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/colin-jost-trump-east-palestine_n_63fafcc0e4b08b1402de4ea8

The vinyl chloride released from tank cars in Ohio out of fear it might explode is associated with increased risk of certain cancers.

Source: https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2023/04/01/fiery-derailments-renew-americans-focus-on-railroad-safety/