Shelter in place advisory lifted after air monitoring confirms no threat to residents
MACEDONIA, Ohio — The Macedonia Fire Department responded to a chemical reaction at Royal Chemical on Thursday morning, resolving the incident by late morning without injury to residents or emergency crews.
Crews Respond to Vapor Cloud
Firefighters were dispatched to Royal Chemical, located at 8735 Freeway Drive, at 7:21 a.m. after a report of a chemical reaction producing white smoke. The Macedonia Fire Department command vehicle arrived at 7:24 a.m., followed by a ladder truck, fire engine and ambulance. Northfield Village sent a fire engine as part of the initial alarm assignment.
Responders found a white vapor cloud coming from building doors and roof vent stacks. No fire or signs of an explosion were present. Company representatives told crews they believed all employees had evacuated safely. Firefighters still conducted an interior search to confirm the building was clear.
HAZMAT and Support Agencies Called In
The Summit County Hazardous Materials Team was requested immediately, with its first unit arriving at 7:42 a.m. Hudson EMS provided an ambulance for medical standby, and the Macedonia Fire Department Drone Team assisted with aerial reconnaissance.
The Macedonia Police Department and Service Department closed nearby roads. Service Department crews also built a temporary dam in a drainage ditch to contain potentially hazardous runoff. Representatives from local utility companies and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency also responded.
Emergency crews worked with Royal Chemical personnel to mitigate the accidental chemical mixture that caused the reaction.
Shelter in Place Advisory Lifted
A shelter in place advisory was issued for nearby residents as a precaution early in the response. Officials lifted the advisory after air monitoring and an incident assessment confirmed there was no immediate threat to the surrounding community.
Emergency operations concluded shortly after 11 a.m. No emergency responders were injured. One employee was evaluated by EMS at the scene and did not require transport.
The Macedonia Fire Department thanked the Summit County HAZMAT Team, Hudson EMS, Northfield Village Fire Department, the Macedonia Police Department, the Macedonia Service Department, the Ohio EPA, local utility partners and Royal Chemical personnel for their cooperation.
