Toledo Residents’ Lives Upended by Deadly Brent Industries Explosions

On the morning of August 18, residents living near the Brent Industries facility in Toledo, Ohio, awoke to a series of massive explosions and a towering chemical fire in their backyards. Two Brent Industry workers who were on shift at the time of the explosion were killed. Members of the surrounding community say they are experiencing symptoms of chemical exposure, and that they are not getting the answers they need from Brent Industries or the Environmental Protection Agency.

In this episode of Working People, we speak with a panel of Toledo residents about the industrial disaster at Brent Industries and the harrowing aftermath. Panelists include:
Toledo Councilwoman Dr Brittany Jones; Mike Balonek, Toledo-based filmmaker and sacrifice zone advocate; Sarah Locker and Kris Ramsdell, who both live right next to the Brent Industries facility where the deadly explosion occurred.

Editor’s note: According to WTVG Toledo, “The coroner’s office identified those who died in the [Brent Industries] fire as Heladio G. Perez, 46, and Mary Allen, 64. An autopsy revealed they both died as a result of blunt force trauma.”

Additional links/info:

• Dave Collins & John Seewer, Associated Press, “Explosions and fire tear through Ohio industrial building, killing 2 workers”
• Kevon DuPree, WTVG Toledo, “Records show history of fires, violations at Brent Industries facility”
• Lily Lowndes, Alexis Means, & Brianna Weaver, WTVG Toledo, “Two dead after explosions rock Toledo industrial facility”
• Mike Balonek website, Facebook page, Instagram, and production company website

Featured Music:

• Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song

Credits:

• Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor

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