Gov. Mike DeWine said today that the controlled burn of several derailed railroad cars in East Palestine was delayed by nearly an hour Monday because two vehicles breached the sectioned-off area to get a look at the area.

The cars went into the restricted area Monday when Ohio National Guard and Ohio State Highway Patrol units left.

“It’s unbelievable,” DeWine said during a conference call with a group of Ohio newspaper editors, including this publication.

That area near the Norfolk Southern Railway derailment was considered potentially deadly because cars were releasing vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical, that if it hit a certain temperature could have exploded, DeWine said.

The “two not-so-great” choices were to “ride it out” and possibly have a “catastrophic explosion” or to have the controlled release, he said. The decision was made to do the latter.

DeWine said he doesn’t known when people will be able to return to the location.

He also said the state will work to make sure Norfolk Southern Railway will pay the cleanup costs related to the derailment that left East Palestine and surrounding areas smoke covered.

DeWine said he wasn’t sure if there would be a problem getting the railroad to pay for the damages, which are extensive, but the state will do everything in its power to make sure that happens.

For more, read Wednesday’s print and online editions.