Toledo Chemical Tank Explosion Forces Evacuations, Leaves Smell Over City

An explosion at a chemical tank in north Toledo, Ohio, sent an irritating chemical into the air overnight, forcing evacuations, shutting down schools and leaving a plastic-like smell hanging over the city on Wednesday.

Residents within one mile of the site on Progress Avenue were ordered to leave their homes around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday. Early Wednesday, officials told Toledo residents within an additional three miles to shelter in place, The Associated Press reported.

What Happened

Officials said an explosion hit a chemical tank at MC Tank Terminal on Progress Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. An employee reported it to 911, and company leadership was heading to the scene, according to Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.

MC Tank Transport Inc. said "equipment associated with our operations is involved" in the incident. The company identified the chemical as glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial chemical used in plastics, paints and coatings, NBC24 reported.

As of Wednesday morning, the fire department said, "The release is ongoing, and crews continue to monitor the situation." No injuries have been reported, and officials have not said what caused the explosion.

Fog Makes It Hard to See the Plume

Dense fog and haze settled over the Toledo area overnight, making it difficult to tell how far the chemical had spread. The plume also cut visibility across the area, including along Interstate 75, and drivers were urged to slow down, 13abc reported.

"You can't tell fog from the release by looking, so please don't rely on how the air looks," the fire department warned.

Local news crews at the scene reported haze and a strong chemical smell, and stations described a plastic-like odor in parts of the city.

Health Risks and Symptoms to Watch For

The fire department said the chemical can cause burning of the eyes, nose, mouth and skin. Overexposure can lead to headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting.

The city advised anyone with serious symptoms, such as trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or confusion, to call 911. People with minor eye, nose, throat or skin irritation should check with a medical professional, WXYZ reported.

Anyone in the shelter-in-place zone, or anyone outside it who smells an odor, should stay indoors, close windows and doors, turn off heating and air systems that pull in outside air and keep pets inside.

Schools, Roads and Shelters

Toledo Public Schools and Washington Local Schools closed Wednesday, and other schools in the area delayed their start times.

Shoreland Elementary School, at 5650 Suder Ave., opened as a temporary shelter. The Red Cross and TARTA buses were also set up in the Meijer parking lot at 1500 E. Alexis Road to help evacuated residents.

Enterprise Boulevard was blocked between Stickney Avenue and Benore Road, and nearby railroads were shut down. Neighborhoods inside the evacuation zone include the Raintree Village mobile home park and the Alexis Addition area. Washington Township officials have also been working to help evacuate the residents of Raintree Village.

Officials asked residents not to call 911 about the leak itself unless they are having a medical emergency, because dispatchers have been overwhelmed. Non-emergency questions can go to the city's Engage Toledo line.

Questions Still Unanswered

Early reports were unclear about exactly which business was involved. The address, 1050 Progress Ave., is listed for steel tube maker Sterling Pipe & Tube, and it was not immediately clear whether that facility played any role.

Officials have not said when evacuated residents can return home. The incident comes after several other dangerous chemical incidents this year, including a chemical tank rupture at a Washington paper mill and a deadly chemical reaction at a West Virginia plant.

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