2 workers confirmed dead after explosions at Toledo industrial building
Two workers have been confirmed dead after an explosion and fire early Tuesday at an industrial recycling business building in Toledo, Ohio.
Identification of the victims will be done through the Lucas County coroner's office, the fire department said.
An initial explosion was followed by a secondary explosion about 5 a.m. Tuesday at Brent Industries, 2924 South Avenue, which is north of Airport Highway/Ohio 2 and west of Detroit Avenue/U.S. 24, according to reports from Toledo Fire and Rescue Department. A neighbor said the vibration of the explosion could be felt in his house.
Fire Chief Allison Armstrong told WTOL, the CBS affiliate in Toledo, about 6:30 a.m. that two employees remained unaccounted for. The others who were in the building were able to get out. Later in the morning, the fire department found the body of a woman inside the building, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz confirmed another person had died in the fire during an afternoon press conference. Both were employees of Brent Industries.
Massive flames were visible as the firefighters arrived. Heavy smoke could also be seen on a downtown Toledo webcam stream in the morning.
"Please avoid the area and remain clear of the scene while fire crews work to extinguish the fire and conduct emergency operations. For the safety of the public, PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH THE AREA!!," the fire department said in a social media post.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Nearly 100 first responders were called to the scene, including Toledo Police, EMS and Ohio State Highway Patrol.
