CLEVLAND ó Four fire departments responded to an incident at Shaver Wood Products, 14440 Statesville Blvd., before noon today.
Workers were using an acetylene torch to cut metal in an overhead area of a building.
At some point the acetylene torch developed a leak and caught fire.
Ronald Herion, safety officer with the Cleveland Fire Department, said firefighters arriving on the scene found the burning acetylene tank next to an oxygen tank, creating a potential explosion.
Firefighter sprayed water on the oxygen to keep it cool, but in the process put out the acetylene fire. “It’s better to let it burn,” Herion said. The gas spread and cause an explosion hazard.
In this case only a small quantity of gas escaped from the cylinder.
The Salisbury-Rowan Hazmat team responded and monitored gas levels to make sure there was no danger.
There were no injuries. Damage was confined to the tanks and gauges.
West Rowan, Wayside, Scotch Irish and Locke departments assisted.