Residents can return home after hazmat fire at Ohio business; EPA to monitor air quality

AKRON — UPDATE @ 9 p.m.:

Residents were allowed to return to their homes after a dangerous fire at an Ohio business Thursday.

Fire officials told our news partners at WOIO that the fire in the 1000 block of Rosemary Boulevard is contained and residents can return home.

The EPA is on the scene and will be monitoring the air quality for the next few days.

Currently, it is within normal limits.

Residents may smell an odor in the air for the next few days.

Firefighters are investigating what caused the fire.

INITIAL REPORT:

Evacuations are underway after a dangerous fire at an Ohio business Thursday afternoon.

Akron police and fire departments were called to a fire in the 1000 block of Rosemary Boulevard at Koki Laboratories around 1:30 p.m., according to our news partners at WOIO.

Firefighters said their main concern is this fire spreading to propane tanks and other explosive material that is inside of the plant.

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Police are evacuating everyone within a half-mile radius.

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No injuries have been reported at this time. Officials said there are medics on standby if that changes.

The smoke was visible on Storm Center 7′s Live Doppler 7.

People with underlying health conditions are asked to be cautious of the smoke.

We will continue to follow this story.

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