Columbus firefighters responded to a fire in a commercial business that was sparked during salvage operations.

The fire appeared to have started when an employee was removing a catalytic converter adjacent to flammable liquids and that sparked the blaze, NBC 4 Columbus reported.

With the building's lightweight construction and heavy fire load, officials kept crews from entering by conducting defensive operations.

Columbus Public Information Officer Steve Martin said there were reports of explosions due to flammable products in the building.

The hazardous materials team worked to contain and control the runoff materials by placing absorbent booms.

One employee was transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation.