Tanker Explosion at Royal Chemical in Macedonia Injures Three, One Critically

On Wednesday morning, a tanker transporting sodium hydroxide exploded at the Royal Chemical facility in Macedonia, leading to three reported injuries, as stated by Macedonia Fire Chief Brian Ripley.

Out of the three injured individuals, two were taken to Metro General Hospital in Cleveland. One of them sustained life-threatening burns, while the other suffered severe but non-life-threatening burns, according to Ripley.

The third injured person was treated on-site.

The cause of the explosion, which occurred around 11:40 a.m., is still under investigation. Ripley reported that the force of the explosion split the tanker in two, leaving one half inside the building and the other half outside.

“Right now, we are working to contain the environment. We believe (sodium hydroxide) got into a small creek located on the east side of that building and the Summit County Hazmat team is working on containing that,” Ripley explained.

Royal Chemical has engaged a clean-up company to assist with the spill, Ripley mentioned.

The Macedonia Police announced on Facebook that Freeway Drive is closed in both directions until further notice.

Clean-up efforts are underway, with expectations that the process will take about a week.

Image credit: ABC