Flash Explosions Reported at Ohio Chemical Plant

March 06--Akron fire crews had pour water on an empty tank that exploded Tuesday afternoon at a chemical facility near the Goodyear complex in East Akron.

The clean up at Eliokem, owned by Omnova Solutions, was completed and traffic to the area resumed by late afternoon, Akron police Capt. Sylvia Trundle said.

Akron Fire Battalion Chief Dennis Stoneman said workers were welding around a tank that once contained a form of methylstyrene when two "flash explosions" occurred about 1 p.m.

The explosions sent workers scurrying for safety and scores of Akron firefighters rushing to the scene off Kelly Avenue. Stoneman said no one was hurt.

Multiple fire crews were called to the scene. The city's hazardous materials team has also been called in. Fire crews set up a staging area on Tech Way Drive.

Akron police closed off numerous intersections around Eliokem and the Goodyear complex, where 40 workers were evacuated. By 2:15 p.m., traffic was reopened except near East Archwood Avenue at Kelly Avenue.

Residents were not evacuated; however, many were detoured from the neighborhood.

Tucker Hall, an Omnova spokesman, said little to no damage was done to the company's equipment. An investigation into the cause is underway, he said.

"Although this incident was minor and quickly contained, safety is the top priority at Omnova," Hall said in a statement. "We intend to conduct an internal investigation to assess what occurred in the interest of promoting safe operations.''

Copyright 2012 - The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio