Ohio chemical leak: Evacuation orders remain in effect near Cincy [Video]

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio — Residents in an Ohio community where a dangerous chemical leak occurred have been allowed to return to their homes.

An evacuation order was issued shortly after styrene, a toxic and flammable chemical that is used to make plastic and rubber, began leaking Tuesday afternoon from a railcar in Whitewater Township, a community of about 6,000 people just west of Cincinnati.

Anyone within a half-mile (about 800 meters) of the area near U.S. Route 50 and the Great Miami River was told to leave immediately as a precaution, and several area schools were closed. The area has a mix of businesses, homes and large swaths of undeveloped land.

The evacuation order was lifted Wednesday night and numerous area roads that had been closed were reopened. All schools reopened on Thursday.

The Central Railroad of Indiana, which operates the tracks, had said Wednesday morning that the railcar was …