U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Holcomb & Hoke Warehouse Fire - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
Subject: POLREP #1
Initial and Final BFPP-Lead PolRep
Holcomb & Hoke Warehouse Fire

Indianapolis, IN
Latitude: 39.7404510 Longitude: -86.1337630

To:
From: Shelly Lam, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2014
Reporting Period: October 30, 2013 - March 7, 2014

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: C5W8    Contract Number: EP-S5-09-05
D.O. Number: 0136    Action Memo Date: 1/10/2014
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 11/11/2013    Start Date: 11/11/2013
Demob Date: 3/7/2014    Completion Date: 3/7/2014
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Incident Category:  Manufacturing/Processing/Maintenance

1.1.2 Site Description
The site is the former Holcomb & Hoke Manufacturing Company.  Holcomb & Hoke purchased the property in 1903, and began operations in 1906.  They manufactured popcorn poppers, paint brushes, wall panels, and other items throughout their history.  The facility has been abandoned for several years. 

The site is over 8 acres in size and contains multiple buildings, including an office building; former manufacturing and processing buildings, including a building used for electroplating; and a flammable storage building. 

1.1.2.1 Location
Holcomb & Hoke is located at 1545 Van Buren Street in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  Site coordinates are 39.7404510 degrees north latitude and 86.1337630 degrees west longitude.  Adjacent properties include a railroad and industrial facility to the north; an industrial facility to the east; residential properties to the south; and a vacant field to the west, beyond which are additional residences and Interstate 65 (I-65).

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The facility caught fire on September 8, 2013 and burned for about 15 hours.  Drums and asbestos-containing material (ACM) were involved in the fire.  Radar images during the fire showed wind from the east, with debris from the fire possibly deposited to the west.  Additionally, response personnel reported that the wind shifted, coming from the south during the fire, with additional possible deposition to the north.  The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) reported the fire and possible releases to the National Response Center (NRC) on September 10, 2013 (NRC #1059783).

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Below are results from the site assessment the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted September 11 and 12, 2013.

Asbestos Samples
EPA received results from asbestos samples collected on September 11th.  Of the bulk samples collected, four contained chrysotile asbestos ranging from 2 to 20 percent (%).  These samples consisted of floor tile (3-4%), mastic (2%), and pipe wrap (20%).  

EPA also collected five air samples for asbestos analysis, including two blanks, one upwind of the facility, one downwind, and one placed on the contractor collecting asbestos samples.  Air samples were non-detect for asbestos at less than 7.01 fibers per square millimeter.

Asbestos is a hazardous substance as defined by section 101(14) of CERCLA.

Ash Samples
EPA collected four ash samples to determine if metals presented a threat to human health.  The ash results were compared to EPA's Removal Management Levels (RML) for industrial soil (August 12, 2012).  

  • In sample HH-Ash02-091113, lead exceed the RML of 800 micrograms per kilogram (mg/kg) at a concentration of 1,130 mg/kg.
  • In samples HH-Ash01-091113, HH-Ash03-091113, and HH-Ash04-091113, all constituents were below the RMLs.

Lead is a hazardous substance as defined by section 101(14) of CERCLA.

Bag House Dust Samples
EPA collected a sample of dust from the bag house for metals analysis.  All constituents were below the RMLs.

Drum/Container Samples
EPA sampled 4 drums and containers for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and flashpoint.  One container was sampled for pH.

  • In sample HH-WL03-091113, all VOCs were non-detect and flashpoint was above 180 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
  • In sample HH-WL04-091113, 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone [MEK]) was detected at a concentration of 200,000 micrograms per liter (ug/L); ethylbenzene at 62,500 ug/L; methylene chloride at 28,900 ug/L; 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene at 39,800 ug/L; and total xylenes at 238,000 ug/L.  Flashpoint was above 180° F.
  • In sample HH-WL05-091113, ethylbenzene was detected at 29,800,000 ug/L; isopropylbenzene (cumene) at 493,000 ug/L; n-propylbenzene at 176,000 ug/L; styrene at 1,160,000 ug/L; toluene at 933,000 ug/L; 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene at 42,800 ug/L; 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene at 38,700 ug/L; and total xylenes at 68,300,000 ug/L.  Flashpoint was 86° F.
  • In sample HH-WL06-091113, MEK was detected at 177,000,000 ug/L; ethylbenzene at 2,200,000 ug/L; methylene chloride at 30,400 ug/L; 4-methyl-2-pentanone (MIBK) at 135,000 ug/L; styrene at 57,800 ug/L; toluene at 50,000 ug/L; and total xylenes at 8,230,000 ug/L. Flashpoint was 66° F.
  • In sample HH-WL07-091113, pH was measured at 1.0 standard units (SU).

Two samples met the characteristic for ignitability as established in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 261.21.  The samples had flashpoint below 140° F.  One sample met the characteristic for corrosivity, established in 40 CFR § 261.22.  Two samples met the characteristic for toxicity established in 40 CFR § 261.24 for MEK.  As such, several containers were characteristic for hazardous waste, including HH-WL04-091113, HH-WL05-091113, HH-WL06-091113, and HH-WL07-091113.  Additionally, MEK, cumene, ethylbenzene, methylene chloride, MIBK, styrene, toluene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and xylenes are hazardous substances as defined by section 101(14) of CERCLA.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative
IMPD requested assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on September 10, 2013.  IMPD requested that EPA assess environmental hazards on-site that could interfere with the fire scene investigation.  On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Shelly Lam mobilized to the site on September 10th and met with a detective from IMPD.  OSC Lam mobilized the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor on September 10th and work began on September 11th.

Emergency response actions included stabilization, sampling, segregation, and securing abandoned drums and other containers.  The time-critical removal actions included inventorying and performing hazard characterization on substances contained in drums and other containers; performing sampling and analysis to determine disposal options; and transporting and disposing off-site hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants. EPA approved an Action Memorandum on January 10, 2014.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA worked with a bona fide prospective purchaser (BFPP) to dispose of waste identified during emergency response actions.  

On November 11, 2013, AcuityES, consultant for the purchaser, mobilized to the site, inventoried waste staged in a Conex box, and collected waste characterization samples.  

On March 7, 2014, EPA oversaw AcuityES and contractor, Liquid Waste Removal, remove waste from the site.  

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

EPA will attempt to identify PRPs and determine if they are financially viable to perform removal actions.  The OSC received information that the property is in receivership.

EPA identified a BFPP who conducted voluntary actions to dispose of waste at the site.


2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Quantity Unit Waste Code Manifest No. Disposal Facility
Non-hazardous, non-regulated solid and liquid products 17 DM   LWR007268 Twin Bridges Landfill, Danville, IN
Non-hazardous, non-regulated solid and liquid products 1 DF   LWR007268 Twin Bridges Landfill, Danville, IN
UN2809, RQ, Mercury, Contained In Manufactured Articles, 8, PGIII (Universal Waste) 1 DF   LWR007261 Environmental Enterprises, Inc., Cincinnati, OH
Non-regulated material, Computer monitors (Universal Waste) 2 EACH   LWR007261 Environmental Enterprises, Inc., Cincinnati, OH
UN1978, RQ, Waste Propane, 2.1 10 LBS   LWR007266 Vendor
UN1044, RQ, Waste Fire Extinguisher, 2.2 50 LBS   LWR007266 Vendor or Koorsen
NA2212, Asbestos 1 DM   LWR007266 Twin Bridges Landfill, Danville, IN
UN3264, RQ, Waste Corrosive Liquid, Acidic, Inorganic, NOS, 8, PGII (Sulfuric Acid, Phosphoric Acid) 2 DF D002 011519795JJK Environmental Enterprises, Inc., Cincinnati, OH
UN3266, RQ, Waste Corrosive Liquid, Basic, Inorganic, NOS, 8, PGII (Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfite) 15 DM D002 011519795JJK Environmental Enterprises, Inc., Cincinnati, OH
UN1993, RQ, Waste Flammable Liquid, NOS, 3, PGII (Paint, Petroleum Naphtha) 3 DM D001, D035, F003, F005 011519796JJK ESSROC Cement Corporation, Logansport, IN
UN1993, RQ, Waste Flammable Liquid, NOS, 3, PGII (Paint, Petroleum Naphtha) 1 CF D001, D035, F003, F005 011519796JJK ESSROC Cement Corporation, Logansport, IN

Regional Metrics

This is an Integrated River Assessment. The numbers should overlap.

Miles of river systems cleaned and/or restored

NA

Cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed and/or capped

NA

Gallons of oil/water recovered

NA

Acres of soil/sediment cleaned up in floodplains and riverbanks

NA

Stand Alone Assessment

Number of contaminated residential yards cleaned up

NA

Number of workers on site

18

Contaminant(s) of Concern

Sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfite, naptha, mercury, asbestos

Oil response Tracking

Estimated volume

Initial amount released

NA

Final amount collected

NA

CANAPS Info

FPN Ceiling Amount

NA

FPN Number

NA

Body of Water affected

NA



  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Emergency and time-critical removal actions are complete.  No additional actions will be conducted.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
No additional actions are planned.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None.

2.2.2 Issues
None.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    Not applicable (NA)
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer
OSC Lam was the Safety Officer for emergency and time-critical removal actions.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer
NA

2.5.3 Information Officer
NA
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command
NA

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
EPA received support from IMPD, the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD), City of Indianapolis, and Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD).
4. Personnel On Site
  During the reporting period, the following personnel were on-site related to removal activities:

Agency/Company # Personnel
EPA 1
START 1
ERRS 1
AcuityES 1
Liquid Waste Removal 3
City of Indianapolis 1


5. Definition of Terms
 
°F degrees Fahrenheit
ACM Asbestos-Containing Material
BFPP Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ERRS Emergency and Rapid Response Services
I-65 Interstate 65
IFD Indianapolis Fire Department
IMPD Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
MCPHD Marion County Public Health Department
MEK Methyl ethyl ketone
mg/kg milligrams per kilogram
MIBK 4-methyl-2-pentanone
NA Not applicable
NRC National Response Center
OSC On-Scene Coordinator
PolRep Pollution Report
PRP Potentially Responsible Party
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RML Removal Management Level
START Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
SU Standard Units
ug/L micrograms per liter
VOC Volatile Organic Compounds


6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
Additional information is available at www.epaosc.org/holcombandhoke.

6.2 Reporting Schedule
No additional PolReps will be submitted.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  NA