Explosion Set By Ohio Three-Alarmer Injures Five
Five people were taken to the hospital after an explosion and fire south of downtown.
Officials said the three-alarm fire started after an explosion in a tank at General Environmental Management or GEM on Transport Road off Rockefeller Road, southwest of the main post office.
GEM is a storage facility for hazardous materials. It also processes industrial waste water.
The man pictured was standing next to the tank and another employee when it exploded. The picture was taken 3 to 4 minutes after the initial blast by a CET Trucking employee.
Those injured were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center. Three people have been admitted to the hospital. Two people were treated and released.
Fire crews used foam to knock down the fire.
The blaze broke out at about 12:25 p.m., and smoke could be seen for miles.
GEM has been the target of numerous odor complaints recently near downtown Cleveland.
Air pollution inspectors traced a powerful and pungent odor to the company last month after receiving hundreds of complaints, WEWS reported.
The company agreed to address that odor problem.
Previous Stories:
- March 1, 2006: Cleveland Company To Set Up 24-Hour Odor Hotline
- March 23, 2005: Health Department Investigates Big Stink Wafting Over City
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