Nearly 1,000 evacuated after chemical tank explodes in Toledo, Ohio

Nearly 1,000 people were forced from their homes in Toledo, Ohio, after a chemical storage tank exploded and released a hazardous substance into the air, with officials warning that another explosion could follow, Geo News reported.

The incident happened at about 9:30pm on Tuesday at the MC Tank Transport facility on Progress Avenue in north Toledo, near the Ohio-Michigan border, where a tank containing glycidyl methacrylate began releasing chemicals.

City officials said 983 people living within a one-mile radius of the facility were evacuated. People within three miles were asked to stay indoors.

Why crews are keeping their distance

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz warned on Wednesday that the chemical could remain explosive for up to 12 hours after the incident. That has stopped hazardous materials teams from approaching the damaged tank right away.

Glycidyl methacrylate is commonly used to make plastics, paints and industrial coatings. Officials say it can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system, and exposure may cause headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. Toledo Fire & Rescue spokesperson Sheldon Collins described it as a chemical “irritant” that could cause “burning of the eyes, nose, mouth and skin”.

A sheriff’s deputy was injured while responding and was taken to hospital. Details of his condition were not immediately available.

Fog adds to the confusion

Thick fog over Toledo added to the alarm. Some residents mistook the weather for a spreading chemical cloud, and fire officials said the fog made it hard to judge how far the exposure risk extended, which helped prompt the shelter-in-place order.

Officials cautioned that the look of the air could not be used to judge whether an area was safe.

How the night unfolded

• 9:30pm Tuesday: The incident begins at the facility on Progress Avenue.
• 10:48pm Tuesday: Toledo Fire & Rescue orders evacuations for all residents within one mile of the site.
• 4:25am Wednesday: The city says the spill is still ongoing, with crews watching the situation, local media reported.
• Wednesday: The mayor warns of a possible second explosion; schools cancel classes.

Questions still open

Early on, it was not clear exactly which site was involved. At 10:48pm on Tuesday, the evacuation order covered residents within a mile of 1050 Progress Avenue, which appears to be the address of Sterling Pipe & Tube, a steel tube manufacturer, Geo News reported. Other evacuation orders referred to 1266 Progress Avenue, the address of the tank facility, and it remained unclear whether the steel tube facility was directly involved.

In the first hours, officials said no injuries had been reported. That changed when the sheriff’s deputy was hurt while responding. Officials have not said what caused the tank to start releasing the chemical, or how long residents may have to stay away from their homes.

Shelters and schools

Emergency shelters were set up for displaced residents, including at Shoreland Elementary School and in a supermarket car park on East Alexis Road, where Red Cross staff and city buses were on hand. Some local school districts cancelled classes on Wednesday.

Authorities are monitoring air quality and using drones to assess the affected area. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.