An explosion tore through an Ohio metals plant on Monday, scattering molten metal and debris that rained down on neighboring buildings and sparking a fire that sent smoke billowing into the sky, witnesses told local media.
Video from the scene showed multiple first responders on the site including fire fighters who were spraying flames with water on the damaged factory about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Cleveland.
The explosion occurred at the I. Schumann & Co. metals plant in Bedford Heights, causing a fire that triggered a call for fire departments across the greater Cleveland and Akron areas to respond, WKYC television news reported, citing witnesses.
WOIO television reported that at least one injured person was transported by helicopter from the scene.
Representatives of the company could not immediately be reached for comment. The business has produced copper alloys since 1917 and also produces brass and bronze alloys, according to its website.
Matthew Wiggins, owner of the neighboring business Rose Colored Gaming, told WOIO he heard a large explosion.
"Within a second or two, it sounded like large amounts of debris were hitting the roof. Things were falling off the walls, falling off shelves. We went out front and there was like smoldering rocks and molten metal in the yard. Tons and tons of smoke. Fire billowing out of the building across the street," Wiggins said.
Another witness, Joe Sarconi, said he was eating lunch in his car across the street when he heard at least two explosions that obliterated a brick wall enclosing the property.
"Flame shot and I just covered. A beam flew across the street. That other beam flew across the street and blew out our window," Sarconi said. "Exciting, but horrible."
Fire departments in the area referred queries to the Bedford Heights Fire Department, where officials could not be reached for comment.
Earlier this month a train loaded with toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, that caused a fire and sent a cloud of smoke over the town. The derailment forced thousands of residents to evacuate while railroad crews drained and burned off chemicals.
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