Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Old Bassett Warehouse Fire
Bassett, VA - EPA Region III
POLREP #11
Final POLREP

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

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #11
Final POLREP
Old Bassett Warehouse Fire

Bassett, VA
Latitude: 36.7689876 Longitude: -80.0033104

To:

From:

Stephanie Wenning, OSC Myles Bartos, OSC

Date:

9/24/2012

Reporting Period:

August 2, 2012 to September 15, 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:	8/6/2012	Completion Date:	8/7/2012
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

In preparation for site demobilization, microvac samples were collected from the concrete pad and remaining steel and brick piles. These samples were analyzed via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), ASTM Method 5755-03. Preliminary analytical results from steel piles indicated some remaining asbestos contamination. Additional steel decontamination was performed and more microvac samples were collected. These analytical results showed no further asbestos contamination. An encapsulant was sprayed on the piles as an additional precaution. Results showed one brick pile contained ACM, this pile was added to the stockpiled debris and transported off-site for disposal. Water from the additional steel and concrete decon was collected, triple filtered to remove any asbestos fibers, and sampled. Water samples were collected and analyzed using the EPA 100.2 Method (EPA 600/R-94/134). All water samples results were non detect.

A final site walk through with property owner, EPA, ERRS and Henry County Department of Public Safety was performed on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. During the meeting, EPA discussed the final sampling results and future site use. All on-site activities were completed by August 6, 2012. Final site activities included consolidating the material from the drums found in the debris pile and transporting remaining over-packed drums off-site for disposal. Analytical results indicated the drummed materials were non-hazardous. Site trailers, equipment and personnel continued to be demobilized over the week of July 30, 2012,

In summary, from June 21, 2012 to July 19, 2012 a total of 6,393 tons of friable ACM was transported to First Piedmont Landfill in Pittsylvania County, VA for disposal. An estimated 600 gallons of filtered, treated decon water was discharged to local POTW. On August 6, 2012, five over-packed 55-gallon drums of non-hazardous solids were transported to Modern Landfill, York, PA for disposal.

Additionally, some clean exterior building bricks and a large amount of steel was left on site for future recycling. Approximately 385 yd³ of bricks and 20,415 yd³ of steel remain. The property owner will be responsible for future recycling of these materials.

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	6,393 tons	Various	N/A	First Piedmont Landfill
Non-hazardous Solids	tar/debris	(5) 55-gallon drums	N/A	N/A	Modern Landfill
Treated Wastewater	water	600 gallons	N/A	N/A	POTW

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

All on-site work was completed by August 6, 2012. Final invoices and reports will be prepared. No additional site work is expected.

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