В Brent Industries зафиксировано шесть пожаров и выявлены нарушения техники безопасности

Records show history of fires, violations at Brent Industries facility City documents detail six fires since 2021 and five violations found in 2025 inspection TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Public records obtained from the city of Toledo show multiple fires have broken out at the Brent Industries facility over the past five years, along with violations found during an inspection last year. The records come more than two weeks after deadly explosions at the facility. Six fires since 2021 Information provided by the city of Toledo shows Brent Industries had six fires at the facility on South Avenue prior to the deadly explosions on Aug. 18. The first fire occurred on Jan. 14, 2021. According to official documents, a large dryer inside the facility overheated while gloves were being dried. The official cause of the fire was listed as a “failure of equipment or heat source” and “equipment not used for the purpose it was intended for.” A second fire happened a month later, on Feb. 12, 2021. Official reports say a dryer was the source of this fire as well, this time full of towels. The cause was determined to be “equipment that was overloaded.” In March 2022, a roof fire was caused by “installation deficiency.” Fire officials noted there was no fire detector present at the time. Materials on site at the time included recyclable materials, flammables, chemicals and plastics. Two fires in one day, another on the roof On Oct. 10, 2024, there were two separate fires in the building at one time — one in the control room and the other in a dryer. Reports say smoke filled the facility, and neighboring fire departments were called to assist Toledo Fire with putting out the flames. Fire officials weren’t able to determine if the two fires were connected, and the official cause was listed as “undetermined.” On April 8, 2025, reports show there was another fire on the roof of the building. Officials say this one was caused by the large commercial dryer vent. In the report, a fire officer said, “We have had many issues with these dryers in the past.” The officer also noted there is a sprinkler system, but it did not activate because the fire was “too small.” Neighbor reacts to findings Kris Ramsdell, who lives near the Brent Industries facility, said the findings are alarming. “It’s concerning,” Ramsdell said. “It’s like how much deferred maintenance is being done on their equipment, especially when their equipment is dealing with these high volumes of chemicals, and then as well as their employee safety.” Inspection violations Toledo Fire & Rescue found five violations during an inspection of the facility on May 7, 2025. Two of the violations included insufficient records of all inspections, testing and maintenance of exit and emergency lighting equipment, and issues with a one-inch sprinkler system valve that needed to be replaced. Toledo Fire said each of the five violations would be rechecked on or after June 6, 2025. There is no word on whether a follow-up inspection was done or whether Brent Industries addressed the violations. 13 Action News has called and emailed the Brent Industries owner, vice president and director of operations about the deadly explosions and these findings, but has not heard back at this time. Toledo Fire continues to work to determine the cause of the explosions. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals Copyright 2026 WTVG. All rights reserved.