Chemical Explosion Forces Evacuations Near Michigan-Ohio Border

A Tuesday night chemical explosion has prompted evacuation orders near the Michigan-Ohio border.

The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in a chemical tank at MC Tank Terminal, which is along Progress Avenue near Enterprise Boulevard in North Toledo, according to officials.

Residents located within a 1-mile radius of the area were asked to evacuate. A shelter-in-place order was stretched to a 3-mile radius, affecting some areas in Michigan.

For those outside the evacuation or shelter-in-place zones and smell an unusual odor, officials ask them to stay indoors, close windows and doors and turn off ventilation that draws in outside air.

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said the chemical released was Glycidyl methacrylate. Exposure to the industrial chemical could cause burning of the eyes, nose, mouth and skin.

Prolonged exposure could lead to headaches, dizziness, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and acute respiratory distress.

A first responder, a Lucas County Sheriff's officer, was injured and took himself to a nearby hospital for treatment, Kapszukiewicz said.

There were no other reported injuries or deaths connected to the incident.

As of 4:25 a.m. Wednesday, Toledo officials were monitoring the "ongoing" situation.

Officials have opened Shoreland Elementary in Toledo as a temporary shelter site. The Red Cross and TARTA buses are stationed in the Meijer parking lot off Alexis Road to help residents who need additional shelter.

"We ask everyone to remain calm, follow the directions of emergency personnel, and avoid the affected area to allow first responders to safely manage the incident. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available," the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department post read.