Americas

Americas

Ohio metal alloy factory explosion kills 1, injures several others-PHOTO-UPDATED

21 February 2023 08:01 (UTC +04:00)

An explosion at a Cleveland-area metal factory killed one person and injured several more people while prompting multiple fire crews to respond Monday.

Witnesses said an explosion occurred at the I Schumann & Co. metal and paint plant in Oakwood Village just after 2 p.m., Fox 8 reported. The company produces copper alloys.

The Oakwood Village Fire Department said 13 people were injured and taken to a hospital. One of them was in critical condition, the news report said.

Fire Capt. Brian DiRocco said he saw some burn victims at the scene and that at least one person had to be pulled from the rubble before being taken to the hospital.

A large plume of smoke coming from the building could be seen in the air. The cause of the explosion has not been determined.

Videos posted to social media purportedly show damaged vehicles struck by debris from the fire.

02.22

Firefighters are battling a major blaze at an Oakwood Village metal factory near the city of Bedford in the US state of Ohio on Monday afternoon after an explosion, media said, APA reports.

According to the FOX 8 broadcaster, eyewitnesses reported hearing a big "boom" and seeing an explosion shortly after 2:00 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT). Firefighters were sent to the 22500 block on Alexander Road to I. Schumann & Co., which produces copper alloys. Images from the broadcaster's helicopter showed the blaze and a large plume of smoke coming from the plant.

As of 4:23 p.m. local time, the fire was largely extinguished at the site, according to the News 5 broadcaster. Two explosions hit the plant, eyewitnesses told the broadcaster, with the second one occurring at around 2:30 p.m. local time.

It is still unknown what caused the explosions.

Hospital officials told FOX 8 that multiple people were brought to MetroHealth Medical Center. The exact number of injured or their condition is yet unknown.