Ohio Firefighters Respond to Major Warehouse Fire

April 24--Akron firefighters are battling a warehouse fire at 317 Silver St. on the city's west side.

The fire is in an isolated, free-standing building. Firefighters are dousing the building with water to make sure the fire doesn't spread.

Firefighters responded to the scene just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Deputy Chief Dale Evans said firefighters think the building is used for metal scrapping, but they aren't sure. An employee warned that there is propane inside. Periodic explosions were seen shooting smoke into the air and prompting onlookers to back up.

"I wouldn't go up there," a woman warned a man who was approaching some woods overlooking the site where a crowd had gathered. "That's propane!"

Fire officials said they are taking a defensive approach. The roof of the building is partially collapsed.

No one has been hurt, Evans said.

"We're going to try to get water to it from the side streets," Evans said of the warehouse, located near the intersection of Silver and Valley streets.

Five fire engines, two battalion commanders and a shift commander vehicle were on the scene. A firefighter on a ladder truck held a hose and sprayed water onto what remained of the building's roof.

An Akron water department official was also on the scene. The warehouse is near where the city recently had a major water main break.

The building is a 7,695-square-foot concrete block warehouse, according to county property records. Built in 1935, it's owned by Morningview Inc.

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