Crews Battling Fire After Explosion at Oakwood Village Metal Factory in Ohio

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Firefighters are battling a major blaze at an Oakwood Village metal factory near the city of Bedford in the US state of Ohio on Monday afternoon after an explosion, media reported.

According to the FOX 8 broadcaster, eyewitnesses reported hearing a big "boom" and seeing an explosion shortly after 2:00 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT). Firefighters were sent to the 22500 block on Alexander Road to I. Schumann & Co., which produces copper alloys. Images from the broadcaster's helicopter showed the blaze and a large plume of smoke coming from the plant.

As of 4:23 p.m. local time, the fire was largely extinguished at the site, according to the News 5 broadcaster. Two explosions hit the plant, eyewitnesses told the broadcaster, with the second one occurring at around 2:30 p.m. local time.

It is still unknown what caused the explosions.

Thirteen people were taken to several local hospitals with burn injuries after the incident, with at least one of them being in critical condition, Fire Captain Brian DiRocco with the Oakwood Village Fire Department told reporters at the scene. He added that another person was injured but not taken to a hospital.

He said that several vehicles were hit by the debris that scattered in an area of a "couple hundred yards" from the explosion, adding that no one was injured by the debris.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to FOX 8 that one person injured during the incident has passed away.

Videos of the horrifying explosion were shared to Twitter.

⚠️ HAPPENING NOW: Huge fire breaks out following mass casualty explosion at a metal facility in Bedford, Ohio. pic.twitter.com/FhyUT60L5z

— Upward News (@UpwardNewsHQ) February 20, 2023

Ohio explosion at a metal factory is being reported as a ‘mass casualty incident.’

Pray for Ohio.pic.twitter.com/DhjdRvBATI

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 20, 2023

Currently multiple authorities and emergency crews are battling a massive fire at a metal manufacturing plant in Bedford Ohio with multiple large explosions taking place. Police are reporting that 12+ people have been severely burned and debris scattered everywhere. pic.twitter.com/dj1bcDnmvS

— Jack Straw (@JackStr42679640) February 21, 2023