At least 14 people were hurt in an explosion Monday at a metals factory in Bedford, Ohio, according to Reuters.
The injuries from the explosion at the I. Schumann & Company metal alloy plant consisted mostly of burns, Oakwood Fire Department Captain Brian DiRocco said. One person was treated on-site, and the other 13 were taken to local hospitals. At least one was critically injured.
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BREAKING: “Mass Casualty Incident” being reported.
Massive explosion at a metal manufacturing plant in Bedford, Ohio; rapid response underway.
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“The people were mostly walking wounded. They were coming up to us,” DiRocco told reporters, according to Reuters. “I’m sure there’s a lot of people that work here that were in shock.”
DiRocco said all the wounded were people who work at the factory, and they were injured on-site. All employees have been accounted for. DiRocco added that he had inspected the location before but had found it to be as safe as possible.
“You are dealing with molten metal, so there’s always an inherent danger,” DiRocco said. The factory produced bronze, copper, and brass alloys.
No cause of the explosion has been released, but a fire that broke out at 3 p.m. has been contained, officials 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,” Stephenie Davis, who was at work in a neighboring building, told CNN. “Everyone was in shock and looking at their cars and the building where the smoke was exiting. We heard another smaller boom, and everyone started to either get in their cars to leave or go back into their work building for safety.”
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The explosion took place approximately 70 miles northwest of East Palestine, Ohio, where a train with toxic chemicals derailed earlier this month, forcing thousands to evacuate and appearing to spread chemicals throughout the area.
