An explosion at an Ohio metals plant on Monday poured molten metal and debris on neighboring buildings, killing one person and injuring at least a dozen others on-site, according to witnesses, officials, and media.
Smoke could be seen for miles around the I. Schumann & Co. metals plant, about 15 miles southeast of Cleveland in Bedford. Fire departments throughout northeast Ohio attended to the blaze.
Oakwood Fire Department Captain Brian DiRocco addressed media on scene Monday, saying 13 people were taken to hospital, many with burn wounds, and another person was being treated on site.
At least one was in critical condition, and one was pulled from the debris, DiRocco said. All of those injured were on site, and none at neighboring businesses.
A spokeswoman for Cuyahoga County confirmed later that a 46-year-old man had died, according to The New York Times.
Captain DiRocco said he had inspected the site previously and found it a safe place "except for the fact that it's a foundry. You are dealing with molten metal, so there's always an inherent danger."
I. Schumann & Co. produces various primary metals, degassers and deoxidizers, and grain refiners/master alloys.
