Toledo Fire and Rescue officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents living within a one-mile radius of a North Toledo industrial facility following a hazardous material leak. The incident, which prompted a swift emergency response, centers around an outdoor storage tank leak at Sterling Pipe & Tube located at 1050 Progress Ave.
Pvt. Sheldon Collins of the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department confirmed that the facility itself was fully evacuated after the tank began leaking chemical material onto the ground outside. Authorities have not yet identified the specific chemical involved in the release, but officials reported that a noticeable chemical smell and haze have drifted into the surrounding atmosphere.
The Lucas County Emergency Management Agency formally instituted the evacuation order, which directly impacts populated areas including the Raintree Village mobile home park and the Alexis Addition neighborhood. Washington Township local officials have deployed personnel to assist with the evacuation of residents from Raintree Village.
For residents displaced by the order, Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority buses have been stationed at the Meijer store located on East Alexis Road to transport individuals away from the hazard zone. Additionally, Shoreland Elementary School has been designated as an evacuation reception site for affected community members.
Simultaneously, authorities issued a shelter-in-place directive for everyone remaining in the wider surrounding area. Residents under this advisory are instructed to stay indoors, keep all doors and windows securely closed, and turn off any heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems that draw in outside air.
Public safety officials have blocked off multiple roads to secure the perimeter, including Enterprise Boulevard between Stickney Avenue and Benore Road. In addition to vehicle traffic restrictions, nearby railway operations have been temporarily shut down as emergency crews work at the scene.
News crews stationed in the area reported that the chemical plume is actively moving across parts of Toledo, significantly reducing visibility on local roadways. Drivers navigating the surrounding area are being urged to exercise extreme caution and reduce their speeds.
Emergency dispatchers have faced a heavy volume of inbound inquiries regarding the incident. Toledo Fire & Rescue requested that the public refrain from calling 911 for information about the hazmat leak, noting that the call volume is overloading dispatchers and potentially interfering with other emergency calls. Individuals seeking non-emergency assistance or information related to the ongoing response are directed to contact Engage Toledo instead.
