Mayor in Ohio community says no apparent problems with factory roof that collapsed, killing 1

Ohio mayor: No known issues at roof collapse site

FREMONT, Ohio — An Ohio mayor says there were no known problems with the roof that partially fell in at a sauerkraut factory, killing one worker and injuring three.

Fremont Mayor Terry Overmyer says Wednesday afternoon’s collapse in the community 40 miles southeast of Toledo was probably a “freak thing.”

The roof caved as workers with a welding company were replacing support columns inside a small building at the Fremont Co., which makes sauerkraut and bottles ketchup and barbecue sauce.

Police Chief Tim Wiersma says 35-year-old B&W Welding employee Nate Kern was crushed and pronounced dead at the scene. Kern’s body was trapped by debris and not recovered until late Wednesday.

The injured included a man whose legs were pinned for about four hours.

Information from: The Blade, www.toledoblade.com/