Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Old Bassett Warehouse Fire
Bassett, VA - EPA Region III
POLREP #10
Progress POLREP

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Old Bassett Warehouse Fire - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #10
Progress POLREP
Old Bassett Warehouse Fire

Bassett, VA
Latitude: 36.7689876 Longitude: -80.0033104

To:

From:

Stephanie Wenning, OSC Myles Bartos, OSC

Date:

8/1/2012

Reporting Period:

July 15 to August 1, 2012

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	A3SZ	Contract Number:	EP-S3-12-03
D.O. Number:	1	Action Memo Date:	4/27/2012
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	5/9/2012	Start Date:	5/19/2012
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:	VAN000306849	RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-critical removal action.

1.1.2 Site Description

On November 21, 2011, an arson fire destroyed a 300,000 square foot brick, timber, and steel warehouse building on Trent Hill Drive in Henry County, Virginia. The warehouse, formerly used by the Bassett Furniture Company, was owned by a non-profit entity which used it to store items for distribution to charities. The fire resulted in the collapse of approximately half of the building leaving a debris pile of roughly 5 acres. While investigating the fire, suspected asbestos-containing material (ACM) was identified by local responders. On December 1, 2011, Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VADEM) called the National Response Center (NRC) and reported the findings of potential ACM. EPA responded to the report and VADEM requested assistance with assessing the situation.

1.1.2.1 Location

Bassett, Henry County, Virginia.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Friable asbestos containing materials (ACM) exposed to the environment.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

During the fire investigation, suspected ACM was spotted. Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VADOLI) mobilized to Site and confirmed, via visual characterization, that there was significant asbestos materials present in the rubble of the building. EPA performed two sampling events, an initial assessment was performed in December 2011 and additional sampling occurred in January 2012. Samples collected during both events at the Site revealed the presence of material containing up to 40 % friable asbestos in the debris located throughout the Site.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

An action memorandum was signed on April 27, 2012 authorizing EPA to begin fund lead removal activities at the Old Bassett Warehouse Fire Site.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

ERRS continued to properly dispose of ACM offsite. Personnel and perimeter air sampling and real time air monitoring continued daily as well as constant wetting continues in the work areas to minimize dust and comply with the substantiative requirements of NESHAPs. Off-site disposal of ACM was completed on 7/19/2012. A total of 6,393 tons was transported off-site for disposal.

Once all ACM was removed from the building footprint, additional decontamination of the building pad was performed. This decontamination included cleaning with a sweeper machine and washing the pad. Additional decontamination was also performed on the remaining steel that was stockpiled on-site for disposal. Water generated during these activities was containerized and triple filtered, sampled, and then discharged to the publicly owned treatment works (POTW). Approximately 600 gallons of water was discharged to the local POTW.

ERRS continued demobilizing personnel and equipment from the Site. All personnel and equipment are expected to be demobilized from the site by August 6, 2012 .

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Resource Exchange Associates has been identified as the owner of the building in question.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*
ACM Material	brick/soil	817 tons	various	N/A	X

	TOTAL TO DATE:	6,393 tons

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

All on-site work is expected to be completed by August 6, 2012. Final invoices and reports will be prepared.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Both START and ERRS will submit final invoices and complete final site reports.

2.2.2 Issues

Asbestos falls under a nationally significant or precedent setting issue and EPA headquarters has concurred with the action memorandum.

2.3 Logistics Section