(Reuters) – An explosion ripped through an Ohio metallurgical plant on Monday, scattering molten metal and debris that rained down on neighboring buildings and sparking a fire that sent smoke into the sky, witnesses told local media.
Video from the scene showed several first responders at the site, including firefighters dousing flames with water at the damaged factory about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Cleveland.
The explosion occurred at the I. Schumann & Co. metals plant in Bedford Heights, starting a fire that prompted a call to the Cleveland and Akron metropolitan area fire departments for response, television news outlet WKYC reported. citing witnesses.
WOIO television reported that at least one injured person was airlifted from the scene by helicopter.
Company representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. The company has produced alloys since 1917 and also produces brass and bronze alloys, according to its website.
Matthew Wiggins, owner of the neighboring business Rose Colored Gaming, told WOIO that he heard a large explosion.
“Within a second or two, it sounded like massive amounts of debris were hitting the ceiling. Things were falling off the walls, falling off the shelves. We went out front and there was like smoldering rocks and molten metal in the yard. Tons and tons of smoke. Fire coming out of the building across the street,” Wiggins said.
Another witness, Joe Sarconi, said he was eating lunch in his car across the street when he heard at least two explosions that destroyed a brick wall surrounding the property.
“A flame went off and I just took cover. Lightning flew across the street. That other lightning flew across the street and blew out our window,” Sarconi said. “Exciting, but horrible.”
Fire departments in the area referred inquiries to the Bedford Heights Fire Department, where officials could not be reached for comment.
Earlier this month, a train loaded with toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, starting a fire and sending a cloud of smoke over the city. The derailment forced thousands of residents to evacuate as rail crews drained and burned the chemicals.