Ohio firefighters mark anniversary of deadly blast

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — One survivor remembers seeing a ball of fire from a tanker truck explosion 50 years ago in Ohio that killed four firefighters and injured 71 people.

The Toledo fire department planned to mark today’s anniversary with a memorial service at a park in front of a fire station.

The Blade newspaper reports retired firefighter John Repp Sr. recalls not only the fireball but also the sound as a small explosion was followed by a massive blast that wiped out several homes. More than half the injured were children who had stood watching after the tanker’s trailer crashed and then sat burning for 15 minutes before the wreckage blew up.

Repp is now 85. He says 17 firefighters who responded that day are still alive. Some had severe burns.