Evacuation order lifted as Akron Fire Department deems industrial fire under control
A black plume of smoke billowed over Rosemary Boulevard today as Koki Laboratories went up in flames.
Akron Fire Department District Chief Sierjie Lash said that, according to Koki Laboratories, methanol, propane and xylene are inside the facility. An earlier news release from the city stated that the chemicals "are burning and creating an unsafe hazmat situation."
The fire department stated a "small explosive sound" that was heard just before 3 p.m. triggered the evacuation of a half-mile area around the building. The evacuation was lifted at 8 p.m.
The fire was reported after 1 p.m. and was under control at 7:34 p.m., the fire department stated in a news release. One firefighter was transported to an area hospital because of minor injuries.
Lash said that the on-scene hazmat team will be researching any health hazards posed by the chemicals.
Initially, the fire and the possibility of explosion were the primary concerns leading to the evacuation, Lash said.
"Residents don't have to worry so much about the smoke right now unless they have underlying health conditions," she stated at a late afternoon news conference.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said that the underlying cause of the fire hasn't been determined, but that it will be investigated. He said that there isn't an "air quality chemical concern" for people outside the evacuation zone.
The city set up reunification centers for evacuees at Firestone Park Community Center, Joy Park Community Center and Mason Park Community Center and the American Red Cross assisted.
When the evacuation ban was lifted, residents were offered transportation assistance via Akron Metro, according to a fire department news release.
The Environmental Protection was requested to check air quality and the fire department said reports indicated air quality is within normal limits.
"Fire crews remain on scene due to the nature and extent of the incident," the news release said.
Air quality will be monitored throughout the night and
Air quality will continue to be monitored throughout the night utilities were being returned to service, the fire department stated.
How did Akron's emergency services react?
Lash said that fire units arrived at 1:14 p.m., mere minutes after the first call to 1081 Rosemary Blvd. The Akron Police Department also responded
"We had reports of heavy smoke and flames showing through the back of the building," Lash said. She added that employees had already exited the building by the time AFD arrived.
When the small explosion was heard at 3 p.m., the scene was upgraded to a three-alarm fire and the neighborhood was evacuated.
Police Lt. Mike Murphy said that APD was assisting the fire department with traffic control, evacuation, reunification efforts and securing the area around the fire.
"We now have a perimeter set up around South Arlington Street, East Waterloo Road, Kelly Avenue and Triplett Avenue," Murphy said.
City officials are urging people to stay away from the area.
Surrounding area evacuated
City spokeswoman Stephanie Marsh said the Akron Police Department evacuated a half-mile radius around the facility.
The Aldi on South Arlington Street and Chesapeake Pointe Apartments across from the facility were evacuated.
Malik said that several other residential neighborhoods in the area had been evacuated, as well as multiple businesses along South Arlington and Rosemary.
The fire is inside Ward 5, represented by City Councilman Johnnie Hannah. On behalf of the citizens of Ward 5, he thanked the city and Metro for getting people out of the area safely.
Residents grapple with evacuation
Akron resident Angela Larkins said she was stunned and scared when she learned she had to evacuate.
She was glad that the process to get to Firestone Park Community Center was smooth, however, she suffers from seizures and needed her medication. She hoped to be able to return to her house soon.
Malik told the residents that the city was working on making sure any medication needs are addressed.
Family members and friends Jordan Snow, Terrell Anderson and Kiesha Lawson were upset at the possibility of staying overnight because of their medical issues.
“They want us to sleep in here but my nephew is on a gastrostomy tube, we’re diabetics, we need our medications,” Lawson said.
“What if someone's insulin pump stops working?” said Snow.
The group showed up at the community center with 13 kids in total and also worried about work and school.
“I had to call off and our kids can't be outside all night like this,” said Lawson.
It’s not known yet if Akron schools will excuse student absences or if employees will excuse workers as well.
Angel McVaniel, an Akron resident, said she was upset because she has three young children and didn't have time to grab clothes or pack anything.
"It's really hard," she said.
She drove herself to Firestone Park Community Center after finding out about the evacuation through Facebook.
How is the weather affecting the situation?
Akron Beacon Journal news partner WEWS Meteorologist Mark Johnson said high pressure over the region was creating a “cap” that acts almost like a lid in the atmosphere. The smoke was rising straight up in the afternoon and was hitting this cap and spreading north, creating a cloud.
Johnson said weather radar indicated the cloud of smoke extended as far north as Cuyahoga Falls. The smoke was visible from as far away as Cleveland and Medina to the west.
Johnson said the smoke was rising about 3,000 feet in the air.
By around 5:30 p.m. the smoke cloud had reached Stow.
The smoke was also visible to the south, as far as 35 or more miles away in Waynesburg in southern Stark County.
History of the building
The building opened in 1955 as the home of Trailmobile Inc., which built and repaired truck trailers and containers for nearly 30 years on the site. In 1982, Tradco Inc., a company that made automotive lubricants and chemicals, moved into the 25,000-square-foot building and operated there for about 25 years.
Staff writers Alisson Toro-Lagos, Craig Webb and Mark Price contributed to this story. Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hazmat fire breaks out on Rosemary Boulevard in East Akron
