MACEDONIA, Ohio – Crews are continuing to clean up after a sodium hydroxide explosion on Wednesday at the Royal Chemical Company, located near Interstate 271. The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 a.m. when a tanker truck loaded with the highly caustic material exploded while parked outside the facility on South Freeway Drive.
According to fire officials, the blast resulted in three injuries. Two individuals suffered critical injuries, and one person remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The names of the injured have not been released.
The cause of the explosion has yet to be determined. Macedonia firefighters arrived on the scene to find the tanker ripped in half, with part of it flung inside the building and debris scattered across the property and roof.
A hazardous materials team from Summit County was deployed to contain the chemical spill. Freeway Drive was closed for most of the day, reopening just before 8:30 p.m.
The Cleveland-based company EnviroServe is now leading the cleanup and recovery efforts at the site, under a plan approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The cleanup includes decontaminating a drainage ditch on the building’s east side and other vehicles parked nearby.
The explosion and subsequent cleanup efforts are being closely monitored, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The community remains concerned about the incident, and authorities are working diligently to ensure the area is safe.
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