On September 3, 2008, at approximately 2000, the Dallas Fire Department requested the USEPA to conduct air monitoring around the perimeter of a 3-Alarm Fire located at Gold Metal Recyclers, LTD. Phone Duty Officer Karen McCormick activated OSC Brescia to respond to the scene at approximately 2005 pm. OSC Brescia activated USEPA START-3 contractors to respond to the incident location to conduct perimeter air monitoring. The fire began at approximately 1800 from unknown causes and quickly became a 3-Alarm fire within one hour of ignition. Gold Metal Recyclers specialize in the recycling of waste metals. Some items that were found in the fire included shredded refrigerators, used car parts, copper, aluminum, waste wood and etc. The facility is approximately 35 acres in size and is located adjacent to the Trinity River in Southeast Dallas. The fire was approximately ¾ acre in size and approximately 50 ft in height.
OSC Brescia arrived on scene at 2045 and met with Captain Scott Harris of the Dallas Hazmat Team. Captain Scott Harris briefed OSC Brescia on the current condition of the fire and the current direction of the plume. Captain Harris requested that OSC Brescia conduct air monitoring downwind of the plume and near some local residential areas. The plume was migrating Southeast and Southwest from the scene. One residential area of concern was located approximately 1.5 miles South of the scene and directly in the plume’s pathway. OSC Brescia mapped out the areas of concern and determined 4-6 locations to conduct perimeter real time air monitoring.
During the fire fighting operations, runoff water was being released through an outfall into the Trinity River directly behind the facility. OSC Brescia met with Nathan Kirksey, an Environmental Specialist with the City of Dallas Stormwater Department, and confirmed with Mr. Kirksey that the City of Dallas was handling any necessary water sampling from the runoff water. Due to poor accessibility to the section of the Trinity River that was being affected, Mr. Kirksey informed OSC Brescia that a visual observation was conducted and that no sheen was present on the waterway, however, an absorbent boom had been placed downstream to catch any residual oils from the runoff water. He informed OSC Brescia that the City of Dallas would collect water samples from the Trinity River on the morning of September 4, 2008, to confirm that no contaminants or pollutants were released into the waterway.
At approximately 2145, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Erin Gorman with the TCEQ arrived on scene and met with OSC Brescia. OSC Brescia briefed them on current activities and requested that they assist the Dallas Storm Water team with water quality sampling and USEPA START-3 if needed. TCEQ agreed and exchanged information with Mr. Kirksey.
At approximately 2245, USEPA START-3 Contractors arrived on scene and met with OSC Brescia. OSC Brescia briefed them on the specific areas to conduct air monitoring operations. TCEQ and START 3 deployed to the locations and conducted real time air monitoring for the following chemicals: Amine, Organic Vapors, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide, Methyl Mercaptan, Hydrogen Cyanide, Ammonia, Chlorine, Hydride, Oxygen, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Monoxide, Lower Explosive Limit(LEL), Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs), Radiation, and Particulates. Real time air monitoring occurred at six specific locations around the perimeter of the plume. The six locations were identified with GPS points and were the following: Location 1 (32.74305 N, 96.75890 W), Location 2 (32.74791 N, 96.70434 W), Location 3 (32.73840 N, 96.75850 W), Location 4 (32.72475 N, 96.75858 W), Location 5 (32.72372 N, 96.76855 W), Location 6 (32.73360 N, 96.77676 W). All air monitoring results were at normal background levels, therefore, indicating that no current public health threat existed from the smoke of the fire. OSC Brescia informed the Dallas Fire Department Command of the readings and was later released from the scene. OSC Brescia and USEPA START-3 Contractors demobed from the scene at 0100 on September 4, 2008.
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The Dallas Storm Water Department will be conducting water sampling operations in the branch of the Trinity River affected from the runoff water caused by the fire fighting operations. Water sampling operations will occur on Sept 4, 2008. TCEQ and EPA will assist the Dallas Storm Water Department if needed. No further action is needed at this site.
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