At least one person was killed and 13 others injured after two explosions ripped through a metal fabrication plant Monday in Oakwood Village in Bedford, Ohio.
The metallurgical plant, I. Schumann and Co., manufactures copper, brass and bronze alloys.
The witnesses they said to News 5 Cleveland that there were two explosions, a small one first and a more intense one around 2:30 p.m.
The explosions took place at a site about 70 miles north of East Palestine, Ohio, where a train derailed, releasing toxic chemicals on February 3. The site is about 15 miles southeast of Cleveland.
The incident led to “employee injuries” and caused “significant” damage to the facility, I. Schumann and Co said in a statement shortly after the explosion, noting the cause of the explosion was unclear.
“We will work alongside researchers to search for answers as part of our commitment to Northeast Ohio, where we have been operating for more than 100 years,” the family-owned factory said in the statement.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed one fatality in the incident.
The victim was identified as Steve Mullins, 46, of North Ridgeville. WKYC reported that Mullins was a maintenance worker at the plant.
A large amount of smoke from the fire that broke out after the explosion could be seen billowing into the sky as fire departments across Northeast Ohio responded to the incident.
Broadview Heights Fire Department said on Facebook that they received reports of a “burnt oil” odor in some areas, which is “likely coming from the fire scene,” adding that “we will likely notice this odor for some time yet.”
Among the injured, 13 were taken to hospital. Many of them had burns, and one person was being treated at the scene, Oakwood Fire Department Capt. Brian DiRocco told reporters from the scene Monday afternoon.
One person was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to a hospital for treatment, reported News 5 Cleveland.
The blast caused the brick wall of the metal building to “blow away completely” and bricks were thrown across the parking lot, the news outlet reported.
Debris covers the ground and nearby cars after an explosion at the I. Schumann & Co. metallurgical plant in Bedford, Ohio, on Feb. 20, 2023. (Michael Swensen/Getty Images)
All were injured due to the fire as they were inside the building, DiRocco said, adding that no one was injured due to falling debris.
Debris covers the ground and nearby cars after an explosion at the I. Schumann & Co. metals plant in Bedford, Ohio, on Feb. 20, 2023. (Michael Swensen/Getty Images)
All of the injured were at the scene due to the fire inside the building, DiRocco said, adding that no one was injured due to falling debris.
“Most of the people were injured walking out,” DiRocco said. “I’m sure there are a lot of people who work here who are in shock.”
DiRocco said he had inspected the site before and found it to be safe “except for the fact that it is a foundry,” noting that “there is always an inherent danger” from the presence of molten metal.
He also noted that the facility has no history of fire code violations.
“Our efforts are now focused on supporting first responders who rushed to the scene to help our employees,” I. Schumann and Co. said in its statement. “The safety and health of our employees is our top priority and we are committed to ensuring they receive the medical care they need (…) Our thoughts and prayers are with our team members and their families at this difficult time.”
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