Blast at Ohio metals plant sends at least 13 to hospitals

OAKWOOD VILLAGE, Ohio (AP/WOIO) — Authorities say an explosion at a metals plant in Ohio sparked a large fire and sent more than a dozen people to hospitals.

Emergency crews were called to the I. Schumann & Co. copper alloy company in the Cleveland suburb of Oakwood Village shortly before 3 p.m. Monday.

An Oakwood fire captain told reporters that 13 people were transferred to several area hospitals and another patient was still being examined.

At least one was critical, and a number of people had burn injuries, but all of the plant staff had been accounted for and the fire was under control.

Matt Barkett, CCO of I. Shumann, offered the following statement Monday night:

“An explosion of unknown origin struck our Bedford, Ohio facility today resulting in injuries to employees and significant damage to the facility. Our efforts now are focused on supporting the first responders who came on scene quickly to help our employees. The safety and health of our employees is our top priority and we commit to ensuring they receive the medical care they need. We will work alongside investigators in their search for answers as part of our commitment to Northeast Ohio where we have been operating for more than 100 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with our team members and their families at this difficult time.”

The company says on its website that it “produces brass and bronze alloys in ingot and pellet forms.”

An Ohio EPA spokesperson confirms they responded to the site. “We don’t know to what extent chemicals were involved. The site of the fire is not where chemicals are stored. We will be continuing to investigate tomorrow. The local fire department had the fire mostly under control when we arrived and it is mostly extinguished now. The fire department was monitoring air quality.”