Medina County Fair marks 20th anniversary of explosion tragedy

MEDINA — Twenty years have passed since an antique steam engine explosion at the Medina County Fairgrounds killed five people while injuring 50 more, a tragedy linked to legislation passed in Ohio's biennial budget. The newly signed budget reinstates Ohio's Boiler Licensure program, which was created in the aftermath of that explosion but done away with by legislators in recent years as part of broader deregulation measures. Provisions bringing the program back were inserted into budget language by District 70 Rep. Darrell Kick, R-Loudonville. "There's a strong argument to be made that we have way too many licenses and hoops that people have to jump through, but this was one we felt was very important," he said Thursday. "The only thing we're asking for is to have this for events. If you want to turn an old broiler tractor on at home, that's fine." New language calls for antique engines to need licensing only when being taken off private property for the purpose of public showcasing. "If you're going to be somewhere where there are others in the area, like a fair, we want you to be licensed and to know what you're doing," Kick said. "When we have several dead and a whole bunch injured, that's a terrible situation beyond belief and just unimaginable." At roughly 7 p.m. July 29, 2001, a 1918 model Case 110 steam traction engine exploded as it was being hauled in for Medina County Fair week. The tragedy took place that Sunday, just before festivities officially began but a time when numerous visitors were setting up attractions. Killed in the explosion were Bryan Hammond, 18; Alan Kimble, 46; Dennis Jungbluth, 58; Clifford Kovacic, 48; and William Kovacic, 26. Dozens of additional injured bystanders included children and two Medina police officers. The blast is said to have propelled hot oil and shrapnel up to 100 yards in all directions. Investigative reports pointed to a lack of water in the engine's hand-fired broiler as well as problems with the engine itself. According to a report summary, the crown sheet of the broiler had deteriorated by as much as 77 percent in certain areas. One of the men killed by the blast was the engine's operator, leaving investigators without direct information on how the equipment was being handled at that moment. Medina County Fair Board President Mike Gall did not join that body until 2004 but was at the fairgrounds the night of the incident. "It was just terrible," he said. "Back then, Ohio had some lenient rules for steam engines. They used to say that Ohio was like a dumping ground for steam engines that couldn't pass inspections in other states, they ended up here. Ohio had those weak laws and guides pertaining to those old engines." Gall said a resolution remains in place that similar engines can be displayed on the fairgrounds but not turned on. "You can bring one out, but to be honest, I don't know if anyone has even done that since we stopped letting them run them here," he said. "That goes for any steam operated engine. It's just a bad memory for everyone, I guess." A memorial was constructed at the fairgrounds in ensuing years consisting of a garden, sitting area, and plaque recounting details of the tragedy. In 2018, fair organizers began planning for a significant upgrade to the site that would have featured a large cement patio with explosion victims' names shown on amenities. However, Gall said fundraising did not come together as expected with that trouble being exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. "The virus kind of took the life out of that for the time being," he said. "We'd still like to do something at some point for the families, but money has just been very difficult for us right now." Although talks are preliminary, Gall said a prayer and memorial ceremony is being put together for Sunday, Aug. 1, just before this year's 175th Medina County Fair. "The date might not be exactly right but it'll be at the exact time (the explosion) happened," he said. "We want to have this small prayer service and get in touch with some of the families and loved ones. We'll be reaching out to them and others who were directly involved, notifying them when the plans are more solidified." Ohio District 69 Rep. Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth, joined Kick in pushing to reinstate the licensure program and complemented her colleague on his advocacy. "He really wanted this and he fought for it," Ray said. "He knew this was something very dear to Medina County. You have to have a level of expertise when operating these engines. (Kick) deserves a lot of the credit here and has made it clear for a long time that he wanted to see this program in Ohio again." Ray remembered details of the explosion and its immediate aftermath. "It was just this metal and oil scalding and flying into the crowd," she said. "It was horrifying. They had to call in helicopters from as far away as Pittsburgh. After that happened, Chuck Calvert pushed for legislation that you had to have these licenses when taking these engines out to a fair or big group gathering. If you're taking these out around people, we're just asking that you know how to operate it." Calvert, a former Medina County Republican Party chairman, served in Ray's District 69 seat from from 1998-2006 before leaving to head the Ohio Elections Commission. "I remember (Calvert) going to work right away immediately after what happened back then," Ray said. "It was very important to him and everyone from Medina County." Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330)721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.