United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

US EPA received a NRC Report and a request from NC DENR to assist with a tire fire at the former Ithaca Sewing Plant in Chadbourn, Columbus County NC. The facility is now operating as Carolina Tire Sales and is located at 314 N. Wilkes Street. The facility is estimated at being 1,000,000 square feet and reportedly "full" of new and used tires. NC DENR Air Quality is in route to provide air monitoring/sampling support. NC DENR Water Quality is in route to assess water run-off impact. EPA was requested to assist with containment/management of fire suppression run-off. Due to EPA response time and location of incident, EPA requested the assistance of USCG - Wilmington, USCG mobilized to the incident, confirmed fire suppression run-off and impact to Dunn Creek, which is a tributary to the Lumber River.

Upon arrival (approx. 12:30 pm), EPA was briefed by USCG-Wilmington. EPA observed fire suppression run-off from the tire fire, attempted to locate property owner/operator with no success and proceeded to mobilize ERRS contractors to conduct water containment/management operations.  Impact to Dunn Creek could be observed for approximately 4 to 5 miles.  Approximately 2 million gallons of fire suppression water and 1500 gallons of fire fighting foam had been applied to the fire. US EPA requested that the Town of Chadbourn Public Utilities place a earthen dam in down gradient from the site in a attempt to begin containing fire suppression run-off. Two loads of sand and a backhoe were mobilized by the Town of Chadbourn and a dam was installed as requested.
Frac-Tanks, Vac-Truck and Excavators were requested to be mobilized to the site by EPA ERRS Contractors.

It became evident that the fire was flaring up, Unified Command (Fire Chief, Law Enforcement, Town Manager, City Mayor, County Emergency Management, NC Emergency Management, NC DENR and US EPA) discussed the situation and it was decided that more heavy equipment was needed to break apart / separate the burning debris, open up the building to gain access, and work toward the "hot spots" in a attempt to control emissions from the burning tires.
Water samples collected by NC DENR Water Quality will be analyzed by a laboratory for evaluation.  
As a precautionary measure a voluntary shelter was opened by the locals for temporary relocation.

Fire Breaks will be constructed to prevent spread of fire for containment purposes. A dunk tank will be mobilized to the site to dunk burning debris in a attempt to control emissions, continue fire suppression run-off containment operations.  Continue monitoring Dunn Creek, Dunn Swamp and Lumber River for impact.
NC DENR Air Quality will begin conducting air monitoring operations again in the morning.

Department of Interior was notified.
SC DHEC was notified.
Responding Agencies:
Chadbourn Fire Dept.
Chadbourn Police
Columbus County Emergency Management
NC Emergency Management
NC DENR Water Quality
NC DENR Air Quality
NC SBI
US EPA Region 3
US EPA Region 4
ATF
US EPA did speak with the property owner/operator Mr. Timothy Mitchell Nobles, verbal notice was given and access from the property owner was granted to US EPA by Mr. Nobles to take appropriate action.
Mr. Nobles contact information is -
Mr. Timothy Nobles
120 Barrow Dr.
Whiteville, NC 28472
910-642-4380
910-770-4851