By Joe Milicia
The Associated Press

WALTON HILLS, Ohio - A fire Friday at a building containing a metals recycling company and truck repair shop triggered explosions and evacuations, but there were no injuries, authorities said.

The fire started about 9 a.m. at Ohio Briquetting Co., which recycles scrap metals, said Kara Allison, a spokeswoman with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Bencin Trucking Inc., which owns 55 to 60 vehicles, is in the same building.

The fire was under control about two hours after it occurred.

Walton Hills Mayor Marlene Anielski said 11 communities responded to the fire and explosions in the Cleveland suburb of about 2,400 people.

Lisa Brown, 33, of Oakwood, said she felt the explosions while watching television at home about two blocks away. She said the house was shaking "like it was under attack."

"It started as just a slight fire coming through the walls and then massive explosions started to occur," said T.J. Caporale, a worker at nearby Clopay Building Projects.

Mr. Caporale said the heat could be felt across the street and there was a series of white flashes.

Ms. Allison said the explosions and flashes were from firefighters' water hitting magnesium, which was one of the metals processed at the briquetting company.

Authorities ordered a nearby Fuel Mart gas station to shut off its pumps and be evacuated. Jean Aungst, assistant manager of the station, said she counted at least eight explosions.

Ms. Allison said the EPA did not know the extent of damage. She said the primary environmental concern was the smoke. The agency also was concerned about possible titanium and magnesium runoff from the water.

Bencin had 15 employees at work Friday morning. Ohio Briquetting had three people at work.

Oakwood Fire Chief Jack Maji said there was a fire at the same location about two years ago.