A fire that took place at a southeast side warehouse on Wednesday night started just hours afterthe Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for 23 safety violations.
The citations against Howard Industries, Inc., included failing to protect workers fromelectrical hazards. The company, located at 1840 Progress Ave., faces more than $70,000 inpenalties, 10TV's Maureen Kocot reported.
Firefighters raced in and right back out of the warehouse after the fire was reported at about 8p.m. Wednesday.
SLIDESHOW: Chopper10 Images
Investigators believe a mixture of chemicals might have sparked a dust explosion.
"You had a couple dry chemicals being mixed together, which produced a little bit of a dustcompound," said Battalion Chief Doug Smith of the Columbus Division of Fire. "There must havebeen some type of electrical arc that might have caused the explosion."
In January 2010, firefighters took an hour to rescue a worker after he fell into an industrialmixer inside the same building.
Seven years ago, in April 2004, flames sent chlorine fumes spewing into the air.
OHSA investigators said that they would return to the plant to determine whether safetyviolations played a role in Wednesday's fire.
Investigators said that the fire did not create an environmental threat.
No injuries were reported. Damage from the fire was estimated at $200,000.
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