Two people are fighting for their lives and one is missing after huge explosion destroys paint factory and rocked Columbus, Ohio
- A total of seven people were taken to hospital after being rescued from the blaze that started shortly after midnight at Majestic Paints on Leonard Avenue.
- Firefighters arrived to meet five injured workers escaping from the building
- But two other factory workers were trapped inside and firefighters had to release them before ambulances transported them to hospital in “ critical condition ”.
- Search and rescue efforts continued into the early hours as hell continued to rage after the explosion that residents felt for miles around.
One person is missing and two people are fighting for their lives after an explosion destroyed a paint factory in Columbus, Ohio last night.
A total of seven people were rushed to hospital after being rescued from the blaze that started shortly after midnight at Majestic Paints on Leonard Avenue.
But one person has still not been located, and search and rescue efforts continued until the wee hours of the morning.
The explosion was felt for miles around by residents who said they felt their homes shaking.
Firefighters arrived to meet five injured workers escaping from the building.
But two other factory workers were trapped inside and firefighters had to release them before ambulances transported them to hospital in “critical condition”.
Columbus firefighters tackle the Majestic Paints blaze on Leonard Avenue
A fire engine is seen outside the factory during hell, left, and a column of smoke rises to the sky
Thick column of black smoke rises in the night sky as paint factory hell rages on
Firefighters tackle fire at paint plant in Columbus, Ohio following explosion
It is not yet clear what caused the explosion, but firefighters said the plant contained hazardous materials.
The Columbus Fire Department said: ‘We are currently fighting a second alarm fire at Majestic Paints, 1920 Leonard Ave.
“The first companies to respond were greeted by workers exiting the building, including five injured and taken to local hospitals.
“Two other employees were trapped inside the building and had to be freed and transported in critical condition. Search and rescue efforts are continuing, as are extinction efforts at this time.
Fire Chief Steve Martin’s Columbus division said the plant contained hazardous materials and hazardous materials crews were at the scene of the blaze, while surrounding businesses were being evacuated.
Residents said they felt a powerful explosion that rocked their homes.
Stewart Smith tweeted: ‘I don’t know what it was but about 10 minutes ago there was what looked like a big explosion on the east side of Columbus. (West of the airport / I-670 zone).
“Powerful enough to shake my whole house. Large column of smoke seen west of me, several sirens can be heard. Not good.’
Jets of water are sprayed on the paint factory as firefighters gather on the street outside
Stewart Smith tweeted: ‘I don’t know what it was but about 10 minutes ago there was what looked like a big explosion on the east side of Columbus. (West of the airport / I-670 zone). Powerful enough to shake my whole house. Large column of smoke seen west of me, several sirens can be heard. Not good’
The fire broke out shortly after midnight at Yenkin-Majestic Paints (file image)
Brett Lawrence added: “ It was all over town I think. I’m in downtown Columbus, near the fairs.
“We heard a ‘muffled’ sound like an explosion and the whole house shook, the windows shook.
“ All the neighbors came out of their houses, our dog ran upstairs to see what was going on etc. ”
Another Columbus resident tweeted: ‘Anyone on the east side of Columbus heard that explosion ?! I shook our whole house. I’m in Reynoldsburg near Mount Carmel East. It was amazing! ‘
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