Evacuations and shelter-in-place orders issued in Toledo, Ohio, after chemical release

TOLEDO, Ohio — Some Ohio residents were ordered to evacuate due to the release of a chemical that could cause burns to the eyes, nose, mouth and skin, and other residents were ordered to shelter in place, the city’s fire department said Wednesday.

People within a 1.6 kilometer radius of the “hazardous material release” were ordered to evacuate around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday. The stay-at-home order was issued for Toledo residents within 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) beyond that area.

Dense fog and haze hampered visibility in the city of around 265,000 residents and local news channels reported smelling plastic.

“Release is underway and crews continue to monitor the situation,” the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department said in a statement posted online Wednesday morning.

The ministry did not name the chemical. Symptoms of overexposure include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. He advised residents to contact a healthcare professional if they think they are having a reaction to exposure.

“You can’t tell fog from clearing by looking, so don’t be fooled by the appearance of the air,” the ministry said in the news release. “If you are outside of evacuation or shelter-in-place areas and smell an unusual odor, please stay indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation that draws outside air.”

Some schools were closed Wednesday and others delayed their opening.

A primary school was opened to provide temporary shelter and buses were stationed to provide shelter to residents as needed.