‘Catastrophic failure’ of equipment causes explosion, fire at pharmaceutical business

VANDALIA — Fire officials have revealed what caused an explosion at a pharmaceutical business in Vandalia Monday morning.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 5, firefighters responded around 10:39 a.m. to the 800 block of Center Drive on initial reports of a business fire at Adare Pharma Solutions.

Vandalia Fire posted on social media that several fire departments responded after an explosion on the roofing of a manufacturing facility on Center Drive.

Fire crews found a small fire on the roof of the building and an air handling unit that had experienced a “catastrophic failure’, according to Vandalia Fire Chief Chad Follick.

Dayton HazMat crews were requested to assess the chemical aspect of the building.

Follick said everyone at the business was able to evacuate safely and there were no injuries.

People nearby said they were scared by the explosion they heard.

“You could tell it was an explosion. Some things on my walls even rattled, and I got up and came out and the neighbors were already coming out and you could see the black smoke,” Debbie Grishop said.

Over 100 employees as well as first responders walked away without injuries.

Firefighters said they will continue to investigate what led to the explosion.

We will continue to follow this story.

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