3 Injured In Lakeland Explosion

LAKELAND, FL — A chemical explosion at The Ruthvens warehouses off Drane Field Road has left three people injured.

According to Lakeland Fire Rescue, the blaze at the 3135 Drane Field Road facility prompted a response from its agency and Polk County Fire Rescue. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Lakeland Patch. Click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Lakeland Fire Rescue reported on Twitter that chemicals were involved in the explosion. "Toluene and sodium hypochlorite are (the) chemicals involved," the agency reported on Twitter. The chemicals are "used to clean kettles food flavorings are made in."

The agency said the scene was brought under control shortly before 4:50 p.m.

Two people injured in the explosion suffered chemical burns, according to Lakeland Fire Rescue. Both were taken to Tampa General Hospital. The third person was taken to Lakeland Regional. All three people, who have not been identified, were in stable condition, the agency reported.

The Ruthvens is a commercial warehouse leasing company, according to its website. The space where the explosion occurred is used by Natural Advantage Food Flavorings, according to Lakeland Fire Rescue.

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Photo via Lakeland Fire Rescue’s Twitter feed