Fire call at Lubrizol turns out to be chemical reaction; no injuries reported

AVON LAKE — What was initially believed to be a fire at Lubrizol Corp. on Thursday turned out to be a chemical reaction. According to a news release from the Avon Lake Fire Department, multiple fire departments were called to the company's location on Moore Road at 10:23 p.m. Thursday for reports of a fire. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke that turned out to be a byproduct of a chemical reaction in freezers on the grounds, and there was no fire to be fought. The freezers contained a product called TBPPI-75-AL 1, which is an organic peroxide — that is, a chemical that includes two oxygen atoms bonded together. The chemical, used to initiate the formation of polymers, should be stored at a temperature between 5 and 23 degrees. If it gets warmer than that, an irreversible chemical reaction begins — which is what happened Thursday. In consultation with Lubrizol, the Lorain County Hazmat Team and the county Emergency Management Agency, it was decided to let the chemicals complete their reaction within the freezers. Firefighters from Sheffield Lake, Sheffield, Avon and Bay Village assisted Avon Lake. The freezers were sprayed to keep them cool as the reaction continued until early Friday morning. There were no reports of injuries, and no equipment appeared damaged. According to a release from Lubrizol, the reaction was contained to one area of the site. Normal operations have resumed. Avon Lake Regional Water, Lorain County Public Health, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Coast Guard were notified of the incident.