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At approximately 3:45 pm September 10, 2007, a fire ignited at the MagPro facility in Camden, Benton County, Tennessee. The plant extracts magnesium from slag materials from other industries. A significant portion of the facility became involved in the fire generating a large smoke plume which traveled into the surrounding community.
Due to the reactive and flammable nature of the material, the fire department made the initial decision to allow the material to burn. A one-mile evacuation was quickly implemented by the local officials. EPA arrived on-scene at 9:00 pm, after being contacted by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) who expressed concern about the off-site smoke plume. Air monitoring resources were mobiliized by EPA and MagPro, and air monitoring in the community indicated no levels of concern for hazardous substances or particulates.
At approximately 2:00 am on September 11, 2007, MagPro employees entered the fire area and used potash to cover the burning magnesium material. This significantly reduced the smoke plume. EPA and MagPro continued to air monitor throughout the day on September 11th with no significant levels being detected. EPA demobilized from the Site later that day.
EPA OSC Spurlin mobilized START contractor, TTEMI, to conduct air monitoring and document the site conditions. START sampled for volatile organic vapors and particulates at the Site and in the surrounding community. EPA's air sampling activities were coordinated with MagPro's air monitoring contractor, CTEH. No levels of concern were detected by EPA or CTEH.
The appropriate programs of the TDEC will conduct follow-up with the facility regarding remaining issues associated with clean-up of residual materials.
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