Crews battle 3-alarm fire at Camp Washington business

CINCINNATI - A major fire at a Camp Washington business late Wednesday night has caused damage, traffic detours and power outages in the area.

Crews responded to the three-alarm fire at Midwest Environmental Services , 3126 Spring Grove Avenue at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and worked at the scene through Thursday morning.

Officials on the scene tell 9 News that the fast moving fire damaged a large portion of a building which contains industrial cleaning supplies. Small explosions were reported by first responders and bystanders. Fire officials confirm that the small explosions were caused by industrial cleaning supplies which caught fire. 9 News spoke with Doug Gronauer, the President of Midwest Environmental Services who said the building with hazardous materials is separate from the building that was destroyed by flames.

Cincinnati Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Ed Dadosky told 9 News he's confident no hazardous materials were inside the building. Dadosky says there was one tanker that contained hazardous waste or corrosive materials in the rear of the facility, but it was removed from the area after the fire started.

"It was never in any danger of releasing, and there was no discharge from that tanker," Dadosky said.

The fire was put out within an hour of the first crews arriving on scene, but it rekindled again. Dadosky says firefighters worked through Thursday morning to contain any remaining hot spots.

"There is a collapse danger that we're especially worried about, but we're working really closely with the building department. One, to determine when we can actually enter the building, and if we do get in, then the fire investigation unit will possibly determine what was the cause of the fire," Dadosky said.

Duke Energy crews responded to the scene to help restore power to those homes that lost electricity because of the fire. More than 300 people lost power in the area following the fire.

So far no injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.

Police say that Spring Grove Avenue from Monmouth to Meeker Street will be closed through rush hour Thursday morning. For more traffic information, go to http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/traffic/traffic_news/thursdays-traffic-delays-11112 .

Midwest Environmental Services is a recycling facility for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste as well as wastewater. It also provides industrial cleaning services.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for updates as they become available.

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