Firefighters were forced to let a blaze in a large warehouse containing dangerous chemicals burn itself out over fears that fighting the fire could aggravate the polution caused.
The building, owned by waterproofing company Mar-Flex Building Solutions, housed “at least” dozen chemicals according to its owners. Propane and gasoline were believed to be among those present.
[Watch Whio TV video report of the fire]
According to Whio TV, crews were called to the 1000ft x 800ft building in Butler County at 1 am on 25 January, with the fire burning for more than 24 hours after it started.
A foam unit was called to the site around 9 am, but it was later decided that the chemicals would react badly with water and increase air pollution in the surrounding area. Earlier, the building had been evacuated following several explosions.
Local news source Whio TV reported that fire crews stopped actively fighting the blaze about 30 to 60 minutes after arriving.
Several of the building’s walls are reported to have collapsed in the incident, and it was speculated that the structure would have to come down.
