On September 25, 2007 at approximately 1100 hours, a series of explosions at the K.E. Greer Distributing Co., in Haltom City, Texas caused a chemical fire in the warehouse building. Local fire departments issued a shelter-in-place for nearby businesses and schools. No injuries have been reported at this time. OSC John Martin, EPA-START and Jan Malone, TCEQ are in-route.
EPA OSC John Martin, TCEQ Jan Malone, and START-3 contractors mobilized to the K.E. Greer Distributing Co. (Kase Products) chemical fire. Firefighters from the Fire Departments in North Richland Hills, Halton City, Ft. Worth, Keller, Roanoke, and Colleyville were on-site extinguishing the fire. Chemicals within the warehouse were reported as: 55 gallon drums of laquer/thinner/brake-wash; 300 gallon containers of methanol/kerosene/mineral spirits; and 40 gallon containers of hexane/degreasers/dyes & perfumes. K.E. Greer representatives contacted TAS Environmental as their clean-up contractor.
The fire had been contained and substantially extinguished upon EPA arrival, but some smaller flames and explosions from the containers within the warehouse continued. The Fire Department Haz Mat and START-3 conducted air monitoring of building perimeter. EPA and TCEQ became concerned about the fire water drainage due to Fossil Creek's proximity to the site (1.25 miles) and the initial pH tests of the drainage water at the facility (pH = 10-14). Haltom City Public Works Department workers built two earthern berms to prevent fire water contamination of tributaries to Fossil Creek, while disposal options were determined. START-3 sampled the pH of the drainage water upstream of the berm and found it to be between 9 and 10.
Haltom City Public Works coordinated with the City of Ft. Worth Public Works and planned to pump the discharge water from the creek into the Haltom City stormwater system, which is treated by the City of Ft. Worth. TAS Environmental Representatives arrived on-site and coordinated with EPA, TCEQ, and Haltom City Public Works to dispose of drainage water from the firefighting efforts.
EPA OSC, TCEQ, and START-3 demobilized from the site once the fire was extinguished and TAS Environmental clean-up efforts were underway. TAS Environmental will continue debris removal and discharge water removal and disposal.
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