Columbus, Ohio There was gas leak at oil recycling company, and about 4,000 workers were forced to evacuate nearby office buildings for six hours on Monday, sending one person to the hospital, according to the authorities.
Firefighters who had arrived at Heartland Petroleum LLC saw cloud of gas over the company, said Battalion Chief David Whiting.
Firefighters who had arrived at Heartland Petroleum LLC saw cloud of gas over the company, said Battalion Chief David Whiting.
The cloud, which quickly dispersed, was a mixture of hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide, based on the information that was provided by the company, said Whiting.
Because of the flammable properties of hydrogen, emergency responders ordered the evacuation of nearby offices.
Heartland Petroleum is a part of a large industrial development area that is near Port Columbus International Airport. Workers at DSW Inc. shoe warehouse was among those who were sent home.
Two people for minor breathing problems were treated at the scene, and the third who complained of the same malady was sent to the hospital, Whiting said. No additional information on the patient was released.
The cause of the gas leak remained under investigation; the problem appeared to be related to a faulty gasket on one role of the oil tanks, said Whiting.
The chief financial officer at Heartland Petroleum, Brad Lambert said; the problem started when there was power cut early in the morning. And when the power was restored, it caused a surge in the computer system and blew the gasket.
The company hoped to resume the operations by the end of the week, said Lambert.
The U. S Occupational Safety and Health Administration had sent a team at the site. The agency has six months to complete an investigation, said an assistant area director in Columbus, David Wilson.
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