Staff report
CLEVELAND ó Four fire departments responded Friday morning when an acetylene torch caught fire at Shaver Wood Products, 14440 Statesville Blvd.
Workers were using the torch to cut metal in an overhead area of a building. At some point, the acetylene torch developed a leak and caught fire.
Ronald Herion, safety officer with the Cleveland Fire Department, said firefighters arriving on the scene found the burning acetylene tank next to an oxygen tank, creating the potential for an explosion.
Firefighters sprayed water on the oxygen tank to keep it cool, but in the process put out the acetylene fire.
“It’s better to let it burn,” Herion said, “because the gas can spread and cause an explosion hazard.”
In this case, only a small quantity of gas escaped from the cylinder.
The Salisbury-Rowan Hazmat team responded and monitored gas levels to make sure there was no danger.
There were no injuries. Damage was confined to the tanks and gauges.
The West Rowan, Wayside, Scotch Irish and Locke departments assisted.