No cause has been reported for an explosion and fire at copper alloy manufacturer I. Schumann & Co., Oakwood, OH, on February 20. One man was killed and 13 others were injured in the blast, which is under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The company pledged to cooperate with federal and state investigators following the incident.
I. Schumann & Co. is a scrap recycler and manufacturer of primary metals, degassers/deoxidizers, grain refiners and master alloys. “We are working with our employees regarding their needs while the facility is idle and hope to have clarity on our operations in the near future,” the company stated.
More than 60 firefighters fought the blaze that followed the incident, which generated heavy flames and dense smoke. The explosion sent debris flying, causing damage to vehicles in the surrounding area.
“The interior of the building is pretty catastrophic,” Oakwood Fire Capt. Brian DiRocco reported on February 21. “We were working this morning with a structural engineer to see where it was safe for us to conduct our investigation.”
A longtime I. Schumann employee, 46-year-old Steve Mullins, was killed by the explosion. “He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his family at this time,” according to a company statement. “We would like to thank the many first responders whose quick action following our accident yesterday ensured our employees who needed medical care got it quickly.”