A black plume of smoke billowed over Rosemary Boulevard Thursday in East Akron as Koki Laboratories went up in flames, prompting a mass evacuation of area businesses and homes.
Akron Fire Department District Chief Sierjie Lash said that methanol, propane and xylene were inside the facility.
The fire department indicated a "small explosive sound" that was heard just before 3 p.m. triggered the evacuation of a half-mile area around the building. At one point, the dark, thick smoke could be spotted as far away as Stow, Medina and southern Stark County.
The evacuation was lifted at 8 p.m., but authorities were still urging people Friday afternoon to stay away from the plant on Rosemary Boulevard.
"Any time there is smoke in the air, it affects air quality," Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson said during a press conference Friday afternoon.
Henderson also mentioned the possibility of another explosion as crews continue to work to put the fire out.
"It will depend on what's underneath the rubble," he said.
Firefighters were using earth-moving equipment Friday to carefully move portions of the collapsed plant and reach any hotspots, Henderson said.
Press conference updates: Fire still burns, officials urge Akron residents to stay away from SMB Products plant
The fire was reported after 1 p.m. Thursday 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, where they remained hospitalized Friday, Henderson said. He would not disclose the nature of the injury, but noted there were extreme conditions Thursday with smoke, fire and heat.
No employees were injured at the plant, which produces health care products and chemical sprays.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said that the underlying cause of the fire hasn't been determined, but that it will be investigated.
The city set up reunification centers Thursday 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 Agency was requested to check air quality and the fire department said reports indicated air quality is within normal limits.
How did Akron's emergency services react?
Lash said 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 APD assisted the fire department with traffic control, evacuation, reunification efforts and securing the area around the fire.
During Friday afternoon's press conference, Malik said it was truly a partnership as multiple agencies from police to fire to mass transit all converged to assist in the disaster.
"The effort was nothing short of heroic," he said.
Surrounding area evacuated
Malik said that several other residential neighborhoods in the area had been evacuated, as well as multiple businesses along South Arlington and Rosemary Boulevard.
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 said she was glad that the process to get to Firestone Park Community Center was smooth; however, she suffers from seizures and needed her medication.
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?” Snow asked.
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.
Angel McVaniel 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 did the weather affect the chemical fire in Akron?
Akron Beacon Journal news partner WEWS Meteorologist Mark Johnson said high pressure over the region created a “cap” that acted 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 rose 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 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: Akron chemical fire prompts mass evacuation Thursday amid health concerns
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