Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Magnablend Chemical Fire
Waxahachie, TX - EPA Region VI
POLREP #1
Initial

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Magnablend Chemical Fire - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI

Subject:

POLREP #1
Initial
Magnablend Chemical Fire

Waxahachie, TX
Latitude: 32.4221743 Longitude: -96.8552113

To:

From:

Nicolas Brescia, OSC

Date:

10/3/2011

Reporting Period:

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Assessment
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	10/3/2011	Start Date:	10/3/2011
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

1.1.2 Site Description
Site is a chemical manufacturing, custom blending, and packaging facility, serving the agricultural, oil and gas, and other industries. At approximately 1100, a fire and explosion occurred at the facility. The explosion occurred during a process of mixing/blending materials, the nature of which is currently being investigated.

Approximately 10 rail cars were impacted by the fire. Inspections indicated no leaks of product from the cars but one tank car has been heavily damaged by the fire. The contents of the railcars ranged from petroleum distillates to ethylene glycol. As of 2:30 pm the fire was reported as 80% contained. State highway 287 was closed east of IH35. Approximately 1,000 individuals were evacuated (Navarro College, Wedgeworth Elementary, and two retirement homes located downwind of the plume), but the evacuation order was lifted at 5:00 pm. State Highway (SH) 287 has been reopened; however, the frontage road remains closed. TCEQ reported that three individuals have self-reported to the local hospital with unknown symptoms.

1.1.2.1 Location
The site is located near the southeast corner of the intersection of the intersection of US287 and IH35 East. Geographic coordinates are Latitude: 32.4254180 N, Longitude: 96.8854884 W.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
An chemical inventory list provided by the RP contains chemicals in multiple hazard classes in unknown quantities. The fire was large and produced a large black smoke plume. OSC Brescia and ERT conducted an initial assessment of the chemical inventory list and created a real time air monitoring plan to address particulate and VOC readings off site. The site is located near residential areas, commercial businesses, a college and an elementary school. Fire fighting efforts produced large quantities of runoff water which entered a creek near the facility. Due to the multiple hazard classes on site, the firewater contained many unknowns.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On 10/03/2011, EPA On Scene Coordinators Nicolas Brescia and Brandi Todd arrived onsite at approximately 1245 hours. EPA OSCs Brescia and Todd were briefed of site situation by Waxahachie and Desoto Fire Department representatives. TCEQ representatives were on site as well as representatives from multiple other local fire departments. OSC Brescia and OSC Todd were briefed by the RP on site conditions, current status of firefighting and cleanup activities, and status of Hazmat contractors on scene. OSC Brescia contacted NARAC and requested a plume model for a 12 hour duration to assist in determining the appropriate locations to begin air monitoring activities. EPA START contractors mobilized to the scene and began perimeter air monitoring for total particulates and Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) at approximately 1400 hours. VOCs were not detected and all particulate air monitoring data was below established action levels. The monitoring activities were focused downwind of the plume at approximately 1/4, 1/2, and at a 1 mile radius. The EPA Aspect aircraft performed aerial reconnaissance and infrared spectrum analysis of the fire plume at approximately 1530 hours. EPA ASPECT reported the presence of Isobutylene and Propylene oxide (organic compounds) were detected in the plume at a concentration less than 1 PPM. Isobutylene is a flammable compound known to be stored on site. During air monitoring activities, OSC Brescia informed the RP that the RP needed to obtain a contractor to perform air monitoring for the duration of the incident. The RP agreed and contracted CTEH to conduct air monitoring activities.

Responsible party contractors are onsite performing containment and recovery of fire runoff water, perimeter air monitoring, and air monitoring at nearby schools. As of 2030, approximately 60,000 gallons fire water runoff has been collected and contained in frac tanks. EPA START contractors collected 4 water samples, one near the site and three downstream, to be analyzed for volatile organic compounds, semi volatile organic compounds, pesticides/PCBs, herbicides, and total metals. The National Guard 6th Civil Support Team (CST) is also onsite performing air monitoring along with TCEQ. All air monitoring activities are being coordinated through OSC Brescia and TCEQ Jeff Kunze for all state agencies and private contractors on site. All air monitoring data will be posted to epaosc.org as it is received. If action levels are reached for particulate of VOCs, the RP is to notify EPA and TCEQ immediately. EPA and TCEQ created a air monitoring/sampling plan to be followed by the RP. The plan covers action levels for particulate and VOCs and directions on when to collect air samples as needed.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Responsible Party is Magnablend, Inc.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Responsible party (RP) contractors will remain onsite through the night recovering fire water runoff and perimeter air monitoring. EPA/TCEQ/CST will remain onsite through the night conducting perimeter air monitoring and evaluation of cleanup activities. RP will be update EPA/TCEQ of their response status every two hours throughout the response operations

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

EPA Brescia requested the RP inspect the integrity of the railcars involved in the fire prior to offloading of car contents. EPA OSCs Brescia and Todd will remain on site until 2400. START and TCEQ representatives will remain onsite monitoring responsible party response efforts. EPA START contractors will remain onsite through the night performing additional air monitoring.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues
Fire water runoff has collected in multiple drainage basins including migrating into a local creek and into a pond. The the elementary school and college are in close proximity to the drainage basins. Actions will be taken to prevent access to the drainage basins. The fire continues to smoulder. At 2200, 95% of the fire has been extinguished.

2.3 Logistics Section