On May 11, 2009, at approximately 8:00 pm, a fire occurred at the Columbus Chemical Industries (CCI) facility on Temkin Road in Columbus (Dodge County), WI. Shortly after fire suppression efforts began, there was an explosion. This prompted fire officials to cease fire suppression, establish an exclusionary zone of ½ mile radius around the plant, issue a shelter in place advisory for the downwind community, and close Highways 73 and 151. Using air models developed by the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center and air monitoring data collected by fire officials, the 54th Civil Support Team, and U.S. EPA, Unified Command incrementally lifted the shelter in place advisory and shrunk the exclusionary zone. The fire continued to burn until approximately 1:00 am on May 14, 2009. Six residences and four businesses were advised to remain evacuated, as a precautionary measure, throughout the duration of the fire. The fire was contained to Building 4 of the facility.
See Initial POLREP for additional background information.
Community air monitoring was conducted throughout the fire by U.S. EPA. CCI’s environmental consultant, BT2, assumed air monitoring on May 13, with U.S. EPA oversight. Throughout the incident, the air monitoring demonstrated that all chemicals of concern were below the applicable health standards, established collectively by the Dodge County Health Department, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS), and U.S. EPA.
CCI began testing their on-site groundwater monitoring wells and 13 neighboring wells on May 15, 2009. Based on these results, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) will determine what additional sampling is needed. CCI is currently providing bottled water to the affected parties.
The runoff from the fire was tested by U.S. EPA and determined to be acidic. CCI constructed berms around the impacted drainage ditch to contain the runoff and stormwater. Water collected in the containment pond is undergoing pre-treatment on-site and being shipped via vac truck to a disposal facility. WDNR is overseeing this activity.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP), WDHS, and U.S. EPA are working collectively to test neighboring properties for residual contamination.
CCI began their investigation of the fire damage on May 15, 2009, with the assistance of specially trained structural and chemical engineers. Approximately 50 gallons of acidic runoff was found in Building 3 of the CCI facility. Incompatible chemicals in close proximity to the runoff were relocated and the runoff is being removed. Access to Building 4 is limited due to structural concerns.
WDNR is overseeing the clean-up of the site. Perimeter air monitoring is being conducted by the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), with U.S. EPA oversight. CTEH will continue this monitoring throughout building demolition and site clean-up.
WDNR will continue to act as the lead on oversight of the demolition and clean-up activities. WDHS and DATCP will continue to work with neighboring businesses to resume operations. U.S. EPA will provide oversight and coordination assistance as requested by the respective state agencies.
- An inventory of the chemicals consumed in the fire still has not been determined.
- Building 4 is not structurally sound, thereby greatly hindering investigation and clean-up.
- Drinking water sample analysis results are pending.
- DATCP clearance sample anlaysis results for neighboring feed store are pending.
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