‘Evacuate immediately’: Toxic chemical leak in Toledo, Ohio, forces residents from homes as hazmat crews respond
The emergency alert initially pointed to a steel manufacturer, but another company has since confirmed its equipment was involved in the leak.
A hazardous chemical leak in Toledo, Ohio, forced residents to evacuate their homes Tuesday night, with officials expanding emergency warnings to a three-mile radius overnight. Thick fog complicated the response, as firefighters warned that residents couldn’t distinguish the chemical release from ordinary fog by looking outside.
According to the City of Toledo, firefighters ordered everyone within one mile of 1050 Progress Avenue to evacuate around 10:48 p.m. on October 20. By 4:24 a.m. Wednesday, officials had also issued shelter-in-place orders for residents within three miles of the site.
The leak disrupted nearby businesses and forced Toledo Public Schools and Washington Local Schools to cancel Wednesday’s classes. Authorities reported no injuries or deaths as of Wednesday morning, while hazmat crews continue responding to the incident.
Officials identified the chemical behind the leak
Toledo’s initial emergency alert listed 1050 Progress Avenue, the address of Sterling Pipe & Tube, leading early reports to associate the leak with the steel manufacturer. However, 13 Action News reported that the release occurred at nearby MC Tank Transport. Emergency crews also evacuated Sterling Pipe & Tube and other nearby facilities.
MC Tank confirmed that the leak involved equipment associated with its operations. In a statement reported by the Associated Press, the company identified the chemical as glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial substance used in plastics, paints, and coatings. MC Tank also said it was coordinating with firefighters and bringing in specialized emergency response resources.
Toledo’s emergency comes more than three years after the East Palestine train derailment raised concerns about hazardous chemical releases in Ohio. That incident involved vinyl chloride, a different chemical, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, glycidyl methacrylate is a flammable, reactive liquid that can undergo dangerous reactions when exposed to heat or incompatible substances. Authorities had not reported an explosion or indicated that such a reaction occurred in Toledo.
Local news crews have reported a plastic-like odor in parts of Toledo, although the smell alone does not establish how far the chemical had traveled. Officials had not determined the extent of exposure in surrounding neighborhoods.
Evacuation orders expanded as crews monitored the area
Lucas County initially advised residents within half a mile of the site to evacuate before Toledo Fire expanded the boundary to one mile. Several hours later, authorities issued shelter-in-place instructions for people farther from the facility, extending precautions across a three-mile radius.
Officials ordered residents in the evacuation zone to leave and advised those sheltering in place to close windows and doors, shut off ventilation systems that draw in outside air, and keep pets indoors. Keeping polluted outdoor air from entering homes is also among the precautions recommended during wildfire smoke, although Toledo residents should follow the city’s instructions for this specific chemical emergency.
The city opened Shoreland Elementary School at 5650 Suder Avenue as a temporary shelter. The Red Cross and Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority also stationed buses at the Meijer parking lot at 1500 East Alexis Road to assist residents who needed somewhere to go.
By Wednesday morning, officials have not announced when residents could return home or given much detail about what caused the leak and how much chemical has escaped. Emergency crews continue assessing conditions around the facility as the investigation continues.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
