AKRON, Ohio — The fire at SMB Products in Akron last weekend could be seen from miles away. The closer one got, the more they could hear mini-explosions coming from the scene.
"We had over a hundred firefighters on scene through the course of about 36 hours," International Association of Fire Fighters Local 330 President Kevin Gostkowski told 3News.
Gostkowski was just one of the firefighters who responded to the area. He says he and all other union members knew it was a chemical fire and hazmat situation due to chemicals like methanol, propane, ethanol ether, and xylene being present inside the plant.
However, it's the xylene that has been causing problems for Akron's department. Gostkowski confirms at least one firefighter was hospitalized due to exposure, and others also exhibited symptoms.
"We had some people that had some fatigue, shortness of breath, some respiratory problems," Gostkowski added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these symptoms are common for this situation, with others including nose and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, dizziness, and nausea. Per the agency, "No long-term effects due to acute xylene exposure have been reported."
Xylene is widely used as a degreasing agent and as a thinner and solvent in paints, inks, adhesives, and many other products.
Once the SMB blaze was extinguished, Gostkowski sent a letter to Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson informing him that some members were exposed. So far, the response from the department has been positive.
"They've been very good to us as far as this incident's concerned," Gostkowski said. "We are making sure that we're taking care of not only the personnel (but) the equipment that was damaged. A lot of guys had some turnout gear issues, but that is being addressed."
The city gave the union access to physicians and the hazmat medical director, and are currently having their hoses and trucks decontaminated. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency also confirms fire suppression materials ran off into a creek adjacent to the site, and that is presently being investigated.