What exactly is going on in Ohio?
An explosion tore through an Ohio metals plant on Monday, scattering molten metal and debris that rained down on neighboring buildings and injuring at least 14 people, mostly with burns, officials and witnesses said.The blast sent smoke billowing into the sky that could be seen for miles around the damaged factory about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Cleveland.The explosion at the I. Schumann & Co. metals plant in Bedford drew fire departments from throughout northeast Ohio.
The business is a brass and bronze alloy manufacturer. The cause of the explosion is unknown.
It’s unclear what caused the explosion. Witnesses told News 5 there were two explosions. A small explosion happened first, and a second, stronger one happened around 2:30 p.m….Oakwood Fire Department officials said the cause of the explosion is under investigation but called the facility a “relatively safe plant.””It’s a foundry, so you’re dealing with molten hot metal—so there’s always an inherent danger.”
Residents in several communities near the plant reported a bad smell following the incident.
“There has been reports of a smell of ‘Burning Oil’ in areas,” Broadview Heights Fire Department said on Facebook. This is likely from the fire scene. We are likely to notice this odor for a while yet.Seven Hills Fire Department said they are aware of the haze and smell traveling through their area and told people not to call 911, as it may “tie up resources currently needed for the event in Oakwood.”
Given the recent black cloud experienced over Ohio, people in the area are understandably concerned.
Stephenie Davis was at her job in Oakwood Village when she suddenly felt the entire building start to shake. She walked to a window and saw a “huge cloud of black smoke” coming from a building less than 1,000 feet away, Davis told CNN.Davis and her coworkers went outside to see what happened and saw debris on the roof and scattered through the parking lot, she said.“Some windows at our neighboring building in front of us were blown out, cars were damaged and debris was on the ground on fire,” Davis said.
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