LEETSDALE — Crews were called to Hussey Copper in Leetsdale early this morning for reports of a fire that has been causing multiple explosions.
According to Leetsdale Fire Department, the call came in at 9:21 a.m. and Leetsdale, Sewickley, Fair Oaks, Big Sewickley Creek, Ohio Township, Harmony Township, Aleppo Township, Ambridge and Economy Township responded. Crescent Township and Rochester Township volunteer fire departments were later asked to aid.
Leetsdale Fire Chief Ernest Logan reported multiple explosions ongoing and heavy smoke coming from the building.
Crews began knocking down fires on the outside, including a forklift.
More explosions came due to copper leaking out of the hopper and onto the ground.
According to Leetsdale Fire Department, Chief Logan removed the crews and warned them to be careful to not let water come in contact with the molten copper.
According to the Fire Department, crews are currently extinguishing small fires that are accessible without the possibility of water getting on the copper.
The Department said that an aggressive interior attack is still not possible due to the explosions and the volatility of reactions from the molten copper with the water.
The Department said it will let the fire continue burning to minimize the risk of the copper exploding.
No one has been injured.
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