Fire crews battled a large blaze in a vacant rubber factory just north of Downtown Akron off the Towpath Trail Wednesday night, Akron fire officials said.
The three-story building was formerly occupied by Ace Rubber Co., police officers on the scene told Ideastream Public Media. The building has been abandoned for some time, and there are no concerns of injuries or fatalities, officers said.
In a press release, officials said they do not believe toxins or chemicals were released in the blaze.
Howard Street was closed for hours between Martin Luther King Boulevard and North Street.
Seconds after I took this video there was a loud boom. Police tell me there’s no concern that there were any people inside because it was abandoned for some time. @Ideastream pic.twitter.com/xfz9HnESp4
— Anna Huntsman (@AnnaHuntsman_) February 15, 2024
A loud explosion inside the building was heard around 9:30 p.m.
Ace Restoration Group LLC purchased the property in Aug. 2022, according to Summit County property records.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
