Two-alarm blaze erupts at Canton processing plant, leaving employee seriously injured

BALTIMORE -- A person was seriously injured after a heavy fire erupted at an asphalt processing plant downtown near the Canton Industrial Area.

Firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the 1500 block of Ponca Street shortly before 4:30 p.m. to assist with a reported building fire. 

Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and a visible fire outside of GAF Roofing, a North American roofing and waterproof material manufacturer for commercial and residential use.

The blaze quickly spread to a two-alarm fire including hazmat, with one plant employee being seriously injured. 

That victim has been stabilized and was transported to a nearby hospital. All other employees evacuated safely before fire personnel arrived.

No Significant Damage

There was no significant damage to the building per Baltimore City Fire Department (BFD).

A spokesperson from GAF commented on the incident stating, "We are aware of one contractor who is being treated for injuries that appear to be non-life threatening. All GAF employees on the scene were reported safe. We maintain the highest standards of safety and will work with the relevant authorities to do a thorough assessment of the incident."

A BFD PIO told WJZ Reporter Tara Lynch that asphalt leaking from a container onto a hot pipe outside of the building was the cause of the fire. However, an investigation is still underway. 

BGE is also responding to the incident due to the natural gas piping at the manufacturer. 

Stay with CBS News Baltimore for further updates.