Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 5, 1994 TAG: 9403070139
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MARA LEE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Assistant Fire Chief Bobby Carner said a plastic-basin water heater was left on during the power outage. In the eight hours after power was restored Thursday evening, the water boiled away, melting the plastic and heating the steel pedestal. The pedestal then ignited a wooden workbench and cabinets.
The fire turned on the sprinkler system and accompanying alarm. Three of the 14 firefighters who responded went into the room and hosed down the fire. Carner said it took less than an hour to investigate and extinguish.
Giles County's Hazardous Material Team arrived around 5:30 a.m. to decontaminate the three firefighters Carner described as serving at "ground zero."
Some chemicals in the room, used for metal-plating, were doused by water, and at the time, the fire department suspected sulfuric acid and vaporized nickel, copper and tin might be present. These can be dangerous to breathe or touch, as heavy metals may settle in the blood when inhaled. The firefighters had protective suits and breathing equipment, but the Haz Mat team wanted to make sure.
The team also tested the used water for acidity and found none. It took a half-hour to decontaminate the people, another three and a half hours to finish the testing and cleanup.
A section of North Main Street from Northview Drive to Patrick Henry Drive was blocked off from 2:30 a.m. until about 6:30 a.m.
Poly-Scientific, which makes electrical parts used in helicopters and oil drills, was closed during Friday's day shift. The 520 employees are expected to make up the lost day starting at 6 a.m. today.
Staff writer Allison Blake contributed to this story.
by CNB