Grinding noise when start engine

I was driving home from work when all of a sudden it felt like a belt broke and then I heard this loud awful grinding sound like the fan was scraping. Any ideas what the problem could be or if it's work the fix?? Also, the steering is tight now...
94 ford ranger xlt

The steering is tight becuase your pwr str pump is not turning, probably from the broken belt.

The grinding is probably from a bearing seizing up. Probably the tensioner OR the A/C pump. But could be any of the pulleys.

I would remove the broken belt and inspect the tensioner and A/C pump. If its the A/C just by a belt for a non A/C truck. If the tnesioner, buy another.

Dont run the truck without the belt. It will not run the water pump and can cause harm to your engine.

My ’88 with a ’93 5.0L seemed to go through Air Pumps more often than you would expect.
Just out of the blue wham bam screeching belt and it would be the air pump locked up.

Steering could be tight from the belt slipping…

Check the play in the belt, if loose check the tensioner.

If still making noise pull the belt and check the other components for free turning.

'94ford ranger with grinding noise

Thanks for the reply, i couldn't wait so took it in to pep boys and they fixed it right up. Turned out the previous owner put on the wrong belt and one of the tensioners fell off sothe belt was ran on a barring that was seized... So things could have been pretty bad or worse. Power steering pump is aok.
Thanks again!