Video: Hundreds evacuated after massive fire at chemical plant

A fire at a chemical plant prompted an evacuation in Akron, Ohio, on Thursday as hazardous materials including propane, methanol and xylene caught fire.

While authorities initially feared the massive fire could cause an explosion, residents were told they could return home Thursday night, according to News 5 Cleveland.

About 10,000 people live within a mile of the chemical plant, including 1,000 children under the age of 5. Akron Fire District Chief Sierjie Lash said there are no air quality concerns for residents without pre-existing conditions who live outside the evacuation zone, which is about a half-mile from the building.

“We tried to isolate and control the fire … nothing happened,” Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson said Thursday morning. “We had to evacuate the area; we didn’t have any chemicals to put out the fire because we weren’t making any progress.”

The Akron Firefighters Association L330 posted a warning on X early Thursday to stay away from the area.

“Akron Fire and Police are currently working a major incident in the 1000 block of Rosemary Blvd. Please avoid South Arlington and surrounding neighborhoods up to a half mile in each direction,” the group wrote. “Please tune in to local media for updates.”