CBRN event in United States of America on Mon 10th August 2026

PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- Firefighters responded Monday to a hazardous materials incident at a Painesville manufacturing plant after a drum became over-pressurized and began smoking during a chemical reaction, officials said. The incident was reported at about 11:26 a.m. at Mar-Bal Inc.’s Ohio plant at 787 Renaissance Parkway, according to the Painesville City Fire Department. Mar-Bal identifies the location as its Painesville manufacturing facility. All employees had evacuated the building before firefighters arrived, according to Fire Chief Thomas C. Hummel Jr. No civilians, employees, or firefighters were injured. Firefighters determined the drum was smoking because of a reaction involving the chemical inside. There was no release of harmful chemicals into the environment, officials said. Painesville firefighters, who are trained as hazardous materials technicians, called for additional help. Fire departments from Willoughby, Wickliffe, and Mentor, along with hazardous materials technicians from Perry Joint Fire District, Madison Fire District and STERIS Corp., responded. Technicians used water to cool the drum until it could be stabilized and moved to a safe location. They also conducted air monitoring in other parts of the facility so employees could return to the building and shut down operations. The facility began its own cleanup efforts, according to the fire department.