(NewsGlobal.com)- An explosion and fire at an Ohio foundry left one person dead and at least another dozen injured last Monday, the New York Times reported.
Monday’s explosion scattered debris hundreds of yards from the foundry and sent plumes of black smoke into the air.
According to Oakwood Village Fire Department Captain Brian DiRocco, firefighters were called to a heavy fire after a “very large explosion” at the I. Schumann & Co. foundry in Bedford, Ohio around 2:00 pm last Monday.
Thirteen people suffered burns and were taken to the hospital, DiRocco told reporters. One of the injured, a 46-year-old man, later died, according to Cuyahoga County spokeswoman Mary Louise Madigan.
Mid-State Sales employee Jeff Huhn, who works across the street from the foundry, told the Akron Beacon-Journal that he was just getting ready to leave when the explosion occurred. Huhn said the blast was so intense that the shaking caused items to fall off the shelves. Debris and shrapnel flew everywhere from the blast, Huhn said, causing some cars in the parking lot to catch fire.
In a statement to News5Cleveland.com, I. Schumann & Co. said the cause of the explosion is not known. The company said it was cooperating with authorities and working with investigators to determine the cause of the blast.
- Schumann & Co., which was established in 1917, makes copper alloys.
When asked by reporters what could have caused such a large explosion, Captain DiRocco said he “couldn’t speak on that.” He said the foundry was “in good standing” and undergoes annual fire inspections, adding that when there has been any violation found, the company fixes the problem, no matter how small.
DiRocco also described the explosion and fire as the largest Oakwood has seen “in a very long time.” He said when firefighters arrived at the scene, the front half of the founder was blown off.
