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