United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The site is located at 605 East Robins Street in Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas, in a commercial/industrial area with nearby residences. The fire occurred at an approximately 35,000 ft2  facility owned by Detco Industries, Inc., the potentially responsible party (PRP). Detco produces industrial cleaners using raw solvent and caustic materials.  The explosion and resulting fire occurred at 1107 hours on January 6, 2004, and is suspected to have originated in the aerosols production area of the facility.  OSHA representatives are on scene conducting accident investigation activities.  The fire was contained by the Conway Fire Department (CFD) by 0830 hours on 06 January 2004. Approximately 2 miles of an unnamed, intermittent stream were impacted by fire suppression runoff.  Two earthen dams were built within the stream to contain site runoff.  CFD officials reported numerous road and business closures within a mile of the site and evacuations of an estimated 192 residential units within ½ mile of the site.  Roads were reopened at approximately 2030 hours on 06 January 2004.  Evacuation of nearby residences remain; however, residents are allowed to retrieve necessary items.

At 1350 hours on 06 January 2004, EPA  mobilized to the scene to perform a site investigation and coordinate air monitoring efforts. The US National Guard Civil Support Team (CST) was on site performing air monitoring and sampling.  The CST demobilized at approximately 2200 hours on 06 January 2004 after releasing air monitoring results to Incident Commander Mark Castleberry, CFD Fire Chief. Detco contractors (Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health) also performed continuos air monitoring and sampling of air and affected water and soil. Levels of volatile contaminants, toxic contaminants and acid gases were below detection limits.  Site air monitoring and sampling are ongoing.

Detco remediation contractors (Hulcher Professional Services) utilized heavy equipment to aid CFD in substantially extinguishing the fire by 1600 hours on 07 January 2004.  Two small hot spots will be addressed in the morning.  An unknown amount of runoff water from the site within the stream remains contained pending disposal overseen by ADEQ.

Once runoff is characterized by laboratory analysis, contained water will be disposed under guidance of ADEQ.

EPA will conduct an Emergency Response Review on 08 January 2004 with CFD, Detco, and Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) representatives.

Containment of runoff may not be adequate if a precipitation event occurs.

Lab analysis of impacted stream water and sediments are pending.