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Steve Kherkher - August 19, 2026
An early-morning explosion and three-alarm fire at an industrial recycling facility in Toledo, Ohio, has left two workers dead and several others injured.
The explosion occurred Tuesday, August 18, at Brent Industries on South Avenue during a shift change. Two employees were ultimately confirmed dead, while several other workers reportedly suffered injuries. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
For workers and families affected by industrial explosions, the Toledo tragedy illustrates why these cases often require more than a basic accident investigation. Workers and families impacted by industrial explosions may benefit from contacting a work injury attorney to find out their legal rights and options after a workplace injury or death. Kherkher Garcia helps clients and families nationwide with all manner of industrial incidents.
Toledo Fire and Rescue received emergency calls at approximately 4:50 a.m. Tuesday reporting an explosion and heavy fire at the Brent Industries facility in the 2900 block of South Avenue. Officials said a shift change was occurring at the time. Around 12 employees were initially believed to have been inside the facility at the time.
When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy flames and a partially collapsed building. Officials ultimately determined that two employees could not be accounted for. Both were later confirmed dead. At least two additional employees suffered injuries and were treated at the scene, according to fire officials.
The response involved approximately 100 Toledo Fire and Rescue personnel, significantly more than a typical emergency response. The incident also presented significant challenges for firefighters and environmental responders. Officials said the facility contained multiple tanks holding mineral spirits. Firefighters initially entered portions of the building while searching for potentially missing workers but were later ordered out because conditions became too dangerous.
The scale of the response was partly driven by the combination of a major structural fire, the possibility that workers were trapped inside, and hazardous materials at the facility.
Fire officials said multiple tanks containing mineral spirits were located at the facility. Mineral spirits are petroleum-based solvents that can be flammable. The presence of flammable materials can create additional hazards during an industrial fire. Importantly, officials have not determined that the mineral spirits caused the Toledo explosion. Investigators are still working to determine the origin and cause of the incident.
Firefighters also had to account for the possibility of additional fire or explosion hazards while also dealing with an unstable structure. A portion of the roof remained suspended against a wall, creating a risk of further collapse. Instead of sending firefighters deeper into the damaged structure, crews used elevated water streams from ladder trucks to attack remaining fires from a safer position.
This illustrates an important reality of industrial explosions: the dangers may not end once the initial blast is under control. Chemical releases, damaged tanks, unstable structures, fire, and smoke can create continuing hazards for workers and first responders.
Industrial explosions can expose workers to several different injury mechanisms at the same time.
The pressure wave from an explosion can cause blast injuries including traumatic brain injuries, hearing damage, internal injuries, and other forms of blunt-force trauma. Workers may also be thrown against equipment, walls, vehicles, or other structures.
Fires can cause severe thermal burns. Depending on the circumstances, workers may suffer burns requiring extensive hospitalization, surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment.
When an explosion causes a building or portion of a building to collapse, workers can become trapped beneath structural materials, machinery, or other objects. Crush injuries can result in fractures, nerve damage, organ injuries, amputations, and other catastrophic conditions.
Industrial fires also produce smoke which may contain hazardous substances. The health effects of exposure can depend on the chemical involved, the concentration, the duration of exposure, and the individual’s circumstances. Importantly, symptoms do not always appear immediately. Someone exposed to smoke or chemicals may initially feel relatively well and later develop respiratory, neurological, or other symptoms.
The cause of the Brent Industries explosion remains under investigation, and it would be premature to speculate about what caused this particular incident. However, industrial explosions can have many potential causes. Depending on the facility and the circumstances, investigators may examine issues such as:
Identifying the cause of an industrial explosion or fire requires evidence. That is particularly important in a catastrophic injury case because the first explanation offered after an industrial accident may not tell the entire story.
Industrial explosion investigations can become extremely complex because much of the most important evidence may be controlled by the company involved in the incident. Evidence may also be removed during cleanup. Investigation into an industrial explosion may include gathering evidence, such as:
The specific evidence needed will depend on the circumstances.
Industrial explosions can affect more than the employees inside the facility. Smoke, chemical releases, fires, explosions, debris, and contaminated runoff can potentially affect neighboring workers, businesses, and residents.
In Toledo, the EPA, Ohio EPA, and Toledo Environmental Services conducted air monitoring and also monitored for potential runoff that could reach a nearby waterway. Initial monitoring did not detect hazardous substances in the air, and officials continued monitoring conditions.
That information is important, but an initial “non-detect” reading does not necessarily answer every question about an individual’s experience or health.
People who believe they were exposed to smoke or chemicals after a nearby explosion or fire may want to document when they noticed the exposure, what they experienced, where they were located, and any symptoms that developed afterward. Medical evaluation can also create an important record of symptoms and treatment.
Common causes can include flammable vapor accumulation, chemical releases, equipment failure, improper maintenance, hot-work activities, ignition sources, improper chemical storage, inadequate ventilation, and process-control failures.
Industrial explosions can cause burns, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, crush injuries, amputations, internal injuries, respiratory injuries, and fatal injuries.
Yes. Chemical or smoke exposure can cause respiratory, neurological, and other health problems. Some symptoms may develop or become noticeable after the initial exposure.
Potentially responsible parties may include employers, contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, maintenance companies, or other entities, depending on the circumstances.
Important evidence may include photographs, video, witness statements, equipment and maintenance records, safety records, inspection reports, and other records.
Seek medical attention and document your injuries and treatment. Preserve any available evidence and consider speaking with an attorney about your legal options.
Potentially. Eligible family members may have wrongful-death claims depending on the circumstances of the death and other factors. An industrial explosion personal injury attorney can help assess your eligibility.
Industrial explosion cases require extensive investigation, particularly when workers suffer catastrophic injuries or families lose loved ones. At Kherkher Garcia, our attorneys represent workers and families affected by serious industrial accidents, explosions, fires, chemical exposures, and other catastrophic events.
For workers who survive an explosion, the consequences may extend far beyond the initial injuries. For families who lose someone, the consequences are devastating. When a worker or family has suffered catastrophic harm, understanding what happened and what legal rights they may have can be critical.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in an industrial explosion, fire, or chemical incident, Kherkher Garcia can help. Our industrial explosion lawyers offer free consultations to every potential client to discuss your injuries and potential legal options. Start now by calling 713-333-1030, or by submitting our online contact form.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
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