Brent Industries recycling plant explosion kills two workers in Ohio

Two workers, a man and a woman, were killed following two powerful explosions at the Brent Industries recycling facility in Toledo, Ohio, early Tuesday morning. The blasts occurred shortly before 5 a.m. during a shift change, causing significant structural damage that destroyed much of the building's roof and several walls.

Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong reported that emergency crews had to manage hazardous materials, including mineral spirits, and potential chemical runoff while battling the resulting large-scale fire. While two employees died, two or three others sustained minor injuries.

Environmental officials monitored the area and stated that air quality showed no immediate hazardous threat to the public. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the explosions, a process that could take up to six months. Authorities previously advised local residents to keep windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke.