At approximately 2030 hours on 26 May 2008, a fire started in a scrap metal pile at the Gerdau Ameristeel facility in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas. The scrap pile consisted of miscellaneous bundles of scrap metal, automobiles and other large pieces of scrap metals. The facility and 5 local fire departments have responded to the fire. No evacuations are in place and no injuries have been reported.
The facility representatives notified the TCEQ at approximately 0530 hours on 27 May 2008 of the fire. The TCEQ notified US EPA Region 6 Prevention and Response Branch. US EPA On-Scene Coordinator Eric Delgado and EPA START-3 contractors were mobilized the scene at 0600 hours 27 May 2008.
During the morning hours, a few plumes of smoke were visible from the former fire locations. The facility and their contractors continued to make sure no re-occurrence of fire occurred today. Approximately 12 rolling frac tanks and 4 vacuum trucks remain on site. CTEH continued to run summa canister air monitoring throughout the day. No other air monitoring efforts occurred today. By mid morning hours various agencies proceeded to demobe from site (Eagle and CTEH). CTEH indicated a representative would be collecting samples at approximately 1900. By mid day it was deemed no re-occurrence of fire would occur and the EPA had a closing ER meeting with TCEQ and PRP to discuss future hot wash meeting week of June 9th.
On 28 May 2008 EPA START-3 contractors performed oversight for field activities during morning hours and sampling during afternoon hours. START-3 observed contractors excavating around remainder of smoke plume areas with minor amount of water applied by the fire department to dissipate any remaining fume plumes. Sampling commenced during afternoon hours. Samples 01 to 03 were analyzed for Dioxin and Furan. An upstream sample 05 was added with RCRA Metal Analysis and pH. A downstream sample 06 was analyzed for the following: RCRA Metals, TPH, PCBs, SVOCs and VOCs. All samples collected today had split samples collected by the PRPs contractor. START-3 was tasked to demobe from ER status at approximately 1730.
EPA is planning a hotwash meeting week of June 9th. One of the main topics for the meeting will be notification procedures for emergency response, ICS implementation, and waste disposal.
Hot wash meeting week of June 9th.
Concern for parties on site and ability to follow ICS structure during initial emergency response.
PRP indicated they will be improving ER Plans and considers further training of various employees.
Split sample of Frac Tank Waste Characterization
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