At the request of CTDEP and the Plainfield, CT Fire Department, EPA OSC Elise Jakabhazy and two START contractors were dispatched to the scene of a fire at the InterRoyal Mill on Railroad Avenue in Plainfield, CT at 9:10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 to provide air monitoring support. The cause of the fire at the abandoned mill is unknown at this time, beginning sometime during the evening of April 26, 2005. The fire dept. and state have concerns that asbestos in building piping and roofing insulation, as well as lead dust from lead paint, may be mobilized by the fire and dispersed via a smoke plume.
OSC Jakabhazy arrived on-scene at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 and integrated into Unified Command. As of this reporting, firefighters are still working to contain the blaze. Debris carried by the smoke plume has been sighted as far away as two miles. Heavy winds are present, and rains are expected around 3:00 a.m. According to CTDEP, no evacuations have been conducted, but a shelter-in-place has been advised.
START contractors are expected to arrive on-scene at approximately 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 to conduct air monitoring for total particulates, as well as air sampling for asbestos fibers and total lead.
The Public Health Service, ATSDR, and CDC have been notified. At the request of OSC Jakabhazy, ATSDR representative Gary Perlman will mobilize to the incident scene by 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.
Two former EPA removal actions have been conducted at the site to address chemicals and drums.
Region I Public Affairs has been activated due to developing media interest.
Case pends.
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