Residents of East Palestine, Ohio were outraged on Wednesday night as they gathered in a school gym to demand answers from the railroad company responsible for a recent train derailment that released hazardous chemicals. Hundreds of Ohioans showed up to the High School, hoping to learn more about the environment and health risk the incident could have caused.

The meeting had been billed as an informational one with representatives from the state, county, and local agencies, but the officials from the railroad company, Norfolk Southern, did not attend. This infuriated many residents, who wanted answers about the containment of the chemicals and the long-term health risks facing the community. Linda Murphy, 49, brought up the growing concern about dead fish being found in the nearby creek, and the smell of chemicals that lingers in the air.

Governor Mike DeWine has made increased efforts to protect the community from the incident, including issuing tests to