FARM ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE HAVE
DIED BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL
CONTAMINATION.
IT’S BEEN 12 DAYS SINCE THE
FIERY DERAILMENT OF A TRAIN
CARRYING HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
THROUGH EAST PALESTINE OHIO AND
THE PLANNED BURN TO PREVENT A
POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC
EXPLOSION.
RESIDENTS WORRY ABOUT WHAT IS IN
THE AIR, SOIL AND WATER OF THEIR
RURAL COMMUNITY.
>> DON’T TELL ME IT IS SAFE.
SOMETHING IS GOING FONT FISH ARE
FLOATING IN THE CRICK.
>> Reporter: SOME 3,500 FISH
LIED IN LOCAL WATERS IN THE DAYS
AFTER THE DERAILMENT.
BUT INSIST EXTENSIVE TESTING
SHOWS THERE IS NO THREAT TO
OTHER WILDLIFE OR HUMANS.
THEY SAY THERE IS ONLY ANECDOTAL
EVIDENCE OF RESIDENTS GETTING
SICK.
AND NO CONFIRMED CONNECTION TO
THE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS ABOARD
THE TRAIN.
>> I DEFINITELY HAVE A RIGHT TO
FLOW WHAT WAS ON THAT TRAIN.
>> Reporter: STILL, FOR THE
FIRST TIME, STATE OFFICIALS
SUGGESTED RESIDENTS RETURNING TO
THE EVACUATION ZONE USE BOTTLED
WATER, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE A
PRIVATE WELL, WHILE TESTING
CONTINUES.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ASKED IF HE
WOULD RETURN HOME, IF HE LIVED
NEAR THE CRASH SITE.
>> I THINK THAT I WOULD BE
DRINKING THE BOTTLED WATER, I
WOULD BE ALERT, AND CONCERNED.
BUT I WOULD PROBABLY BE BACK IN
MY HOUSE.
>> Reporter: AN ANSWER LEAVING
SOME RESIDENTS WITH MIXED
EMOTIONS.
>> I FEEL ABOUT 80% SAFE.
>> Reporter: BEN RATNER AND HIS
FAMILY LIVE ABOUT HALF A MILE
FROM THE CRASH SITE.
THEIR KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL
AFTER BEING OUT FOR A WEEK.
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU’RE STILL
WORRIED.
>> I THINK MORE SO WORRIED FOR
THE LONG TERM.
>> RESIDENTS HAVE FILED MULTIPLE
CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS, SEEKING
DAMAGES FROM THE RAIL OPERATOR,
NORFOLK SOUTHERN, INCLUDING FREE
HEALTH MONITORING AND SCREENING.
THE COMPANY SAYS IT HAS ALREADY
PAID RESIDENTS MORE THAN A