Update
Fire on Gilbert is potentially explosive
A fire at 815 E. Gilbert is a potentially explosive situation because water-reactive titanium shavings are piled up in the building. Water is being applied to the front of the building, but the firefighters have been ordered to keep it away from the smoke and flames.
Water has also been applied to an adjacent building.
About 4 p.m., fire crews had been pulled back and told to withhold water. About 5 p.m., crews were ordered to move farther back. At 5:15 p.m., flames were shooting through the roof of the building, and black smoke billowed to the west.
Calls have been made to McConnell Air Force Base, Mid-Continent Airport and Boeing a Class D firefighting agent that is not water-based.
Molten titanium and water is an explosive mix.
Fire crews are also concerned about nearby propane The building houses Industrial Metals, Apple Electric and an extermination business. It is close to railroad tracks, and train traffic is being shut down.
At least one person has been treated for smoke inhalation.