Officials provide update on 300-ton glass tank eruption

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- A tank eruption at Owens-Illinois on Monday spilled over 300 tons of molten glass material.

The scene at 1700 State Street was contained by 8:00 p.m. Monday night, according to officials. A total of 12 fire departments from Muskingum County responded to the incident.

The eruption was anticipated and fire crews had been preparing for weeks in advance.

“Everything went smooth and went like clockwork,” said South Zanesville Fire Chief, Russell Taylor. “We had some pre-walk throughs with the engineers and the structural engineers, furnace engineers, and plant managers. Everything went smooth, all departments worked together like clockwork and everything went off without a hitch.”

Taylor said 2,000 to 2,500 feet of fire hose were damaged by the glass on the scene.

An estimated 288,000 gallons of water were used to contain the situation. The water will undergo testing done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a precautionary measure to prevent possible contamination of general water sources.

“When we get a factory and we talk about petroleums, anything pertaining to the glass making, we weren’t 100% sure about the water runoff on it so we of course always look out for the environment,” said Zanesville Assistant Fire Chief Doug Hobson.

Hobson said all water used was contained before it can be disposed of.

“We put plugs into play to hold all that water and that water is to be kept on site until tested to make sure there aren’t contaminates in it to go into the city sewer,” said Hobson.

The water will not be released into storm drains or the sewage system until it is proven to not be contaminated.

A meeting will be held on Friday to discuss how the situation was handled.

The structure remains in tact, and no injuries were reported.

“That is the biggest feat of it all; everyone went home safe,” said Hobson.