Work continues after plant fire

Several Trumbull County fire departments were on the scene.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
WARREN -- WCI Steel workers continued making steel today despite a fire and explosion just after midnight.
The fire in the acid regeneration plant was extinguished by firefighters from several Trumbull County departments. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Howland Fire Department said structural damage is estimated at $500,000.
Fifty firefighters and 17 engines initially responded; also assisting Howland were Warren Township and Warren City, Lordstown, Bazetta, Southington, Bloomfield and Mesopotamia.
Tim Roberts, a company spokesman, said three employees were working in that section of the mill but evacuated unharmed.
That part of the mill recycles acid that has been used on the pickling and galvanizing line. It is owned by WCI but leased and operated by Re-Gen Inc. of Pittsburgh.
Tanks were safe
Roberts said the building that houses the recycling operation was on fire but not the tanks that store acid. Steel production is continuing because the acid wasn't burned, he said.
Eventually, however, the company may have to buy acid and will have to pay for another means of recycling or disposing of used acid, he said.
A report filed by the Warren Fire Department said firefighters were exposed to unknown chemical byproducts, but no negative effects were reported.
Howland fire officials said there was a need for water at the scene, so a "water shuttle team" was activated. This brought in more departments -- Braceville, Bristol, Farmington, Greene, Mecca and Champion.
The Trumbull County Hazardous Materials Management team was called because of the possible involvement of several thousand gallons of hydrochloric acid.
The fire was under control at 1:52 a.m., but crews remained on the site until early today.