On May 26^th 2015, a fire and explosion occurred at an illegal pyrotechnics storage warehouse.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) attributed the cause of the fire to be as a result of improper installation that may have influenced the overload, arcing and causing the molten material to be expelled.

The warehouse is divided into three bays and suffered significant damage, particularly the middle bay which housed the illegal pyrotechnics.  The middle bay’s roof is all but nonexistent as are  the front and side walls.

Pyrotechnics contain salts of heavy metals such barium, strontium, lithium and copper to generate specific colors.  In addition older pyrotechnics may also contain lead salts as a primer.  The resultant ash – estimated at approximately 100 cubic yards – may contain these heavy metals.

1.1.2.1 Location

The warehouse is located in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico.  Within 100 yards of the warehouse is a large residential development as well as a large supermarket.  Directly across the street is an unnamed stream to which storm-drain water discharges into.  This unnamed stream drains into a second unnamed stream – at the confluence of which a school of large fish was oberved.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

There is potential of heavy metals such as barium, copper, lead, strontium and lithium being present in the ash.  Barium and lead also have the potential of exhibiting Toxicity Characteristic.  Copper can, even in low concentrations be acutely toxic to all aquatic life.

Significant portion of the ash – approximately 100 cubic yards – is stockpiled in the middle bay which no longer has a roof or side and front falls, there is a potential for the ash to migrate through wind and tropical rainfalls.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

EPA is attempting to obtain an Access Agreement from the property owner in order to collect samples of the ash

An initial walk through was conducted with representative from Puerto Rico’s Environmental Quality Board (EQB) on June 3^rd, 2015.  The site tour was joined by to agents from Puerto Rico Police Department’s Bomb Squad (PRPD)

The ownership initially was ambiguous.  The original owner claimed that through a court order, the property was deeded back to the lending institution.  However, it was later established that the court ordered transfer applied to two of the three properties collocated; the property involved in the fire was not deeded over.  Office of Regional Counsel has been attempting to obtain written access.

Removal Support Team contractor has been activated to collect samples and have them analyzed.  Sampling will take place as soon as access is obtained.