"It was loud!" For those who live near Acme Galvanizing, Monday started with a bang

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Fire officials say exploding propane tanks ignited a large fire at a Milwaukee industrial company Monday, March 16th. Witnesses tell FOX6 News they heard between five and 12 large booms. Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles around Monday morning as the fire burned at Acme Galvanizing, located in the heart of Milwaukee's south side. While firefighters were trying to handle the flames, police started pulling people back.

Acme Galvanizing is located near homes and apartments, so when the explosions began Monday, some who live near the facility say it was too close for comfort.

"It was pretty dramatic. (The flames) were intense. They were at least 30 to 50 feet high. Windows shaking and flames shooting up in the air," H. Nelson Goodson said.

"I thought somebody was bombing Milwaukee," Maria Domenech said.

Domenech says she was sleeping when the first explosion occurred. She heard two more explosions by the time she made it to her window.

"I've never heard anything that close," Domenech said.

Domenech says she went to the alley to get a better look, but that didn't last long.

"They sent us back inside after they started putting the tape around," Domenech said.

Domenech lives so close to the factory, family members started calling her.

"I said 'no I`m okay, I`m just watching it from the alley,' and they said, 'are you sure you`re far away?' And I said 'I am pretty far.' Not really, but I didn`t want to let them know that," Domenech said.



Following the explosions, fire crews worked to extinguish a two-alarm blaze.

No one was injured.

Neighbors say whether they heard it or saw it, they're just grateful everyone is okay.

"There were about seven booms," Domenech said.

"(Flames) were shooting out. It was a lot of smoke," a neighbor said.

"Kinda like a grenade! It was loud!" H. Nelson Goodson said.

Acme Galvanizing specializes in metal coatings. According to Acme’s website, the company has an 80,000 square foot building. It’s continuously adapted to meet the changing needs of their customers.

Acme offers the metal coating market zinc coating processes. It was founded by Irving Herrmann in 1919.  Peter Napiecinski joined the firm in 1936.  Together they created the framework for the growth of Acme Galvanizing. Edward Weiss Sr.   and Allan McGovern took over control of Acme in 1961, and automated and expanded Acme’s metal coating services until 1984 when Edward Weiss Jr. and James Weiss took over active management of the company.