Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders issued after hazardous chemical spill near Toledo

Ohio authorities ordered residents within a one-mile radius of a hazardous material spill in northern Toledo to evacuate overnight, and later expanded a shelter-in-place order to a three-mile radius. The incident, reported around 10:48 p.m. on Tuesday, occurred near 1050 Progress Ave., the site of steel tube manufacturer Sterling Pipe & Tube, though the facility’s involvement remains unclear.

Officials described the released substance as a chemical irritant that can cause burning of the eyes, nose, mouth and skin. By early Wednesday, the fire department instructed people to close windows and doors, shut off ventilation systems that draw outside air, and keep pets indoors. Potential symptoms of overexposure include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting; no injuries have been reported so far.

The city has opened temporary shelters at Shoreland Elementary School and in the parking lot of a nearby retail store, with Red Cross staff and transit-authority buses providing assistance. Foggy conditions have hampered officials’ ability to assess the full extent of the exposure risk.