Toledo resident describes chemical leak as it continues to vent: “Looked like a movie”

October 22, 2026 / 9:49 AM EDT / CBS News

Hundreds of people in Toledo, Ohio, remain evacuated from their homes as officials work to resolve a fiery chemical leak that began Tuesday.

Residents within a mile of an MC Tank facility were order to evacuate on Tuesday, and everyone within a 3-mile radius was told to shelter in place. On Wednesday, the shelter-in-place was lifted and evacuations were reduced to half a mile. But a chemical plume remains.

City officials have been allowing the chemicals to vent from the 5,500-gallon tank, instead of trying to send in crews to stop the leak. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said Wednesday that the potential for an explosion made it too dangerous for first responders, including hazardous material teams, to approach the tank. One first responder has sustained injuries, Kapszukiewicz said.

The city and MC Tank Transport Inc. said the substance involved in the leak is glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial chemical that is used in plastics, paints and coatings. State officials said the leak happened due to an error as the chemical was being transferred.

Residents have reported symptoms including burning in the eyes, lungs and sinuses, bad headaches and nausea. One area…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/