Explosion Causes US$5 Million in Damage to Ohio Mill
05/10/2016 - North Star BlueScope Steel is continuing to produce steel following a weekend explosion and fire at its Ohio, USA, sheet mill.
The accident occurred Saturday afternoon at the mill’s South electric arc furnace. The company said the furnace had a refractory failure, allowing a washout of molten steel, which then ignited fires.
“All employees and contractors are safe,” the company said in a statement.
According to the The (Toledo, Ohio) Blade newspaper, the accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. People who live near the mill reported that they felt their homes shake at the time of the explosion and saw smoke coming from the plant, the newspaper said.
“Emergency services responded quickly and controlled the fire,” the company said.
It has estimated the damage at US$5 million and expects to lose 35,000 metric tons of production. The mill’s other EAF is continuing to operate.
“All employees and contractors are safe,” the company said in a statement.
According to the The (Toledo, Ohio) Blade newspaper, the accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. People who live near the mill reported that they felt their homes shake at the time of the explosion and saw smoke coming from the plant, the newspaper said.
“Emergency services responded quickly and controlled the fire,” the company said.
It has estimated the damage at US$5 million and expects to lose 35,000 metric tons of production. The mill’s other EAF is continuing to operate.
