THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 23, 1995 TAG: 9505230283
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Local fire officials Monday studied the wreckage of the Fine Petroleum Co. warehouse, which collapsed during an intense fire Saturday that spread toxic fumes across neighboring homes.
The danger, they said, appears to be over. But investigators have decided to await the arrival of federal experts today before removing any of the chemical containers still littering the warehouse.
``There's no potential problem to the citizens, and we don't anticipate any,'' said Fire Chief Donald Haupt.
However, a heavy rain could wash some of the petroleum waste still inside the building into the nearby Lafayette River. Workers began building a sand barrier to contain any toxic runoff.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Haupt said.
Officials from various city departments met to survey the damage and plan a cleanup. ``We really had a multi-disciplined task force here,'' Haupt said.
The fire erupted Saturday about 7 p.m. inside the two-story, metal warehouse at the end of St. Julian Avenue near Calvary Cemetery. Giant fireballs from exploding petroleum drums erupted while about 100 firefighters battled the general alarm fire. A cloud of smoke was visible for miles.
City records show that the property, which includes 2 acres, is assessed at $433,770.
The smell of the charred wreckage still hung over the site Monday, but Haupt said air-quality readings were good. Nothing inside appeared to be salvageable, he said.
Fire personnel were able to inch into the building, but couldn't get far because the structure was so shaky. They also had to watch out for hazardous materials still inside.
Haupt said cleanup workers will have to do the same. He said there are 55-gallon fuel containers inside the fallen structure, some of which expanded with the heat and may be unstable.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency team was scheduled to evaluate the site today. Haupt said the cleanup could take months.
``It is going to be demolished,'' Haupt said of the warehouse. ``But we have to identify, categorize and dispose of all chemicals.''
Residents near the warehouse were still surprised Monday about the extent and possible danger of the blaze. Some had no idea that toxic chemicals were being stored near their homes.
``I've lived here for a good 29 years and I didn't know they were over there,'' said Donna Tyson of the 2300 block of Harrell Ave. ``It could be a real hazard. If you're living in an area you should be made aware.''
Earline Hatchett, a neighbor, said a heavy smell lingered a day after the fire. ``Although they said it would be safe, I could smell the chemicals Sunday morning,'' Hatchett said. ``I immediately closed my windows. Today was the first day I opened my windows.''
KEYWORDS: FIRES HAZARDOUS WASTE by CNB