After a massive fire ripped through a chemical plant in Akron on Thursday afternoon, prompting neighboring residents to evacuate, the Akron Fire Department confirmed Friday that the fire is ongoing and crews are still at the scene nearly 24 hours later.
During a news conference Friday afternoon, Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson said that the fire might take between eight to 12 hours to be extinguished.
Henderson said one firefighter was hospitalized Thursday night. He did not specify why, but he responded to a reporter's question by describing exhausting conditions on the ground.
"It was very humid yesterday and the operational period started around 1:15 [p.m.]...just imagine having seventy pounds on your body and wet and tired with the humidity," Henderson explained. "We had crews out there from that extended time in that operational period... at that time it had been six hours."
Henderson said they believe the following chemicals were in the building during the fire: methanol, xylene, propane, ether and ethanol.
Deputy Director of Public Service Eufrancia Lash said that of the residents who evacuated the area, about 100 people went to the Firestone Park Community Center, and about 78 went to Joy Park to shelter temporarily until the evacuation order was lifted later that evening.
Traffic is open in most areas except Rosemary Boulevard, which is limited within roughly one block to assist the fire department's ongoing response, Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said.
You can watch the full press conference here:
Nervous neighbors
At the site on Friday, small flames and dark smoke appeared at the site. Popping noises or small explosions could also be heard. Those sights and sounds continued to keep neighbors on edge.
"My concern is that it will get out of control again," local resident Charly Young said. "I'm just going to say a prayer and send it up, but that's my concern that it won't be able to die down. I have a bit more faith in Akron, though."
What happened
Around 1 p.m., the Akron Fire Department responded to a fire on Rosemary Boulevard. Upon arrival, they found black smoke and flames from a commercial building; all employees had been evacuated.
The fire involved chemicals such as propane, methanol and xylene, according to Akron Fire District Chief Sierjie Lash, who was concerned about the structural integrity of the building.
Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson told News 5 on the scene Thursday there was a risk of the building exploding.
Due to the chemicals and the extent of the flames, Akron Fire said fire companies used a defensive approach to battle the fire.
"We tried to isolate and mitigate the fire... nothing happened," Henderson said. "We had to evacuate the area; we ran out of chemicals to even put on the fire because we were making no headway."
People in the area were evacuated from their homes and businesses after the fire department said a "small explosive sound was heard from the building."
The all-clear was given later that evening, and residents returned home.
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