United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region V
POLLUTION REPORT


Date:
Friday, August 20, 2004
From:
Steven Renninger

To:
Linda Nachowicz, EPA
Dave Combs, Ohio EPA
Dale Farmer, Ohio EPA
Patricia Schultz, EPA
Kevin Clouse, Ohio EPA
David Chung, EPA
Charlie Perry, Greater Cincinnati Hazmat
Don Maccarone, Hamilton County
Bonnie Phillips, City of Cincinnati
Duane Herth, Cincinnati Fire Department
Dana Stalcup, U.S. EPA
Carol Ropski, U.S. EPA
Nola Hicks, U.S. EPA
Steven Ostrodka, U.S. EPA
Afif Marouf, U.S. EPA
Mick Hans, U.S. EPA
Stuart Hill, U.S. EPA
Ginny Narsete, U.S. EPA
Tracy Johnson, U.S. EPA
Scott Shane, Ohio EPA
Rick Schriewer, City of Cincinnati
Marshall Hill, ATF
Dan Rottmueller, CFD
Dan Wolf, CFD
Chris Hall, MSD
Distribution List, National Response Center

Subject: 

Initial POLREP
Queen City Barrel Fire
1937 South Street, Cincinnati, OH
Latitude: 39.1075000
Longitude: -84.5510000


POLREP No.:
1
Site #:
R5ZZ
Reporting Period:
D.O. #:
Start Date:
8/19/2004
Response Authority:
CERCLA
Mob Date:
8/19/2004
Response Type:
Emergency
Demob Date:
 
NPL Status:
Completion Date:
 
Incident Category:
CERCLIS ID #:
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
 

Site Description

At approximately 1830, a fire ignited at the Queen City Barrel Company (Queen City) on Evans Street, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.  The fire originated in a drum storage area at the Queen City barrel recycling facility.  Approximately 20,000 55-gallon drums were stored in the barrel storage area that ignited. The City of Cincinnati Fire Department responded to the five alarm fire.  The Cincinnati Chemical Air Monitoring (CAM) Team was also activated for downwind air monitoring.  The Cincinnati Health Department recommended a shelter in place advisory for neighboring City of Cincinnati residents from approximately 2100-2400 hours.

Current Activities

At 1930, U.S. EPA OSC Steve Renninger was paged by the CAM team asking for air monitoring assistance.  OSC Renninger activated Tetra Tech START to assist with air monitoring.  The CAM team and START performed air monitoring at various locations throughout the City of Cincinnati.  A summary of air monitoring results is provided below:



Instrument Location Date Time Result Units Operator LocationDescription   
FID 1 8/19/2004 2050 5 ppm CAM 8th and Depot   
RAE 1 8/19/2004 2050 300 ppb CAM 8th and Depot   
PID 2 8/19/2004 2100 4.7 ppm START Edwards and Observatory   
FID 3 8/19/2004 2139 4.7 ppm CAM   
PID 3 8/19/2004 2139 1.7 ppm CAM   
PID 4 8/19/2004 2146 0 ppm START University Hospital   
FID 5 8/19/2004 2150 1.17 ppm CAM   
FID 6 8/19/2004 2150 1.28 ppm CAM   
FID 7 8/19/2004 2150 1.5 ppm CAM   
FID 8 8/19/2004 2150 1.4 ppm CAM   
RAE 7 8/19/2004 2150 315 ppb CAM   
RAE 8 8/19/2004 2150 218 ppb CAM   
RAE 6 8/19/2004 2150 178 ppb CAM   
RAE 5 8/19/2004 2150 159 ppb CAM   
PID 9 8/19/2004 2158 0 ppm START Deaconess Hospital   
PID 10 8/19/2004 2234 0 ppm START Sawyer Point   
FID 11 8/19/2004 2259 0 ppm START 2nd and Race Street


The Cincinnati CAM Team coordinated with the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC) to generate real time wind plume models.

At 2200, U.S. EPA Emergency Response Team (ERT) mobilized to the site with the ERT mobile command post.  ERT members John Gilbert, Greg Powell and contractors from General Dynamics also mobilized to the site to provide air monitoring support.

At 0130 on Aug 20, the fire was under control.  Area streets were reopened by local response agencies.


Next Steps

1.  The Cincinnati Fire Department requested assistance from U.S. EPA to obtain samples from the fire area on Aug 23.


response.epa.gov/queencitybarrel