Multiple people were injured in a massive explosion and fire at a metal manufacturing plant in Oakwood Village, Ohio, on Monday afternoon, according to multiple media outlets.
“I ducked inside my car and took cover. “When I looked up, all I saw was a dark cloud of smoke and then an explosion,” the Maple Heights resident revealed, adding that he was grateful to be alive. Sarconi has been working across the street from the plant for the past 20 years.
Sarconi also told the outlet that gravel and steel beams flew into the sky around the plant.
“The fire department sent EMS units to the scene and transferred an unknown number of people to a local hospital,” the Akron Beacon Journal reported, citing Twinsburg Fire Department Lt. Marcus Ketner.
According to Fox 8, some victims were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center. The number of patients and their conditions are unknown at this time.
The explosion occurred at I Schumann & Co. in the 22500 block of Alexander Road. According to the company’s website, the family-owned business was founded in 1917 and manufactures brass and bronze alloys.
Though the plant’s official address is in Bedford, Fox 8 reports that the area is known as Oakwood Village.
The outlet also reported that billowing plumes of smoke could be seen for miles.
BREAKING: A major explosion was reported on Alexander Road in Oakwood Village / Bedford Heights area, and multiple fire departments have been called to assist. DOPPLER RADAR has detected the smoke from the explosion in the air. @SpectrumNews1OH #OHWx pic.twitter.com/CPBMf9WNqP
— Eric Elwell (@EricElwell_TV) February 20, 2023
BREAKING: A major explosion was reported on Alexander Road in Oakwood Village / Bedford Heights area, and multiple fire departments have been called to assist. DOPPLER RADAR has detected the smoke from the explosion in the air. @SpectrumNews1OH #OHWx pic.twitter.com/CPBMf9WNqP
