The site is located in South Seattle, Washington, at the Capital Industries warehouse at 5801 3rd Avenue South. Capital Industries is a three-square-block metal-fabricating operation.
On January 18, 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency contacted the START-2 about the Capital Industries warehouse that caught on fire in South Seattle. EPA's assistance was requested by the Seattle Fire Department Incident Commander. The 50,000-square-foot warehouse is part of Capital Industries’ three-square-block metal-fabricating operation. Only the warehouse caught on fire. The EPA tasked the START to conduct technical assistance, photo documentation, sampling, and hazardous materials identification of runoff from the water used to combat the fire. The EPA was concerned of potential contamination of the water due to the potential of hazardous materials stored inside of the warehouse. Two of the main chemicals of concern were methyl isobutyl ketone, and titanium dioxide. Other chemicals were also present in some of the buildings.
The OSC arrived at 1335 hours and received a request from Seattle Fire Department to evaluate the runoff water. The START arrived at 1350 hours. The START conducted air monitoring for organic vapors in the runoff area around the perimeter of the warehouse. Organic vapor at concentrations above background were not detected. Heavy smoke and soot odors were present around the perimeter of the warehouse. After collection of two samples from the runoff area of the warehouse, the START proceeded with a Ten-Step Hazardous Categorization for both samples. Both samples were brown, muddy liquid with no odor, and a neutral pH of 7. The sample was water soluble and non-flammable. Results of the oxidizer test were negative. The char test of the liquid sample gave off vapors that did not ignite, which is typical of water, and evaporated fully, with no residue. Based on the results of the hazardous categorization analysis, the samples were categorized as water. At 1500 hours, the START informed OSC of the test results. No other tests were required. At 1530 hours, the START and OSC demobilized from the site.
No further actions are planned.
No further actions are planned.
None.
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