Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -Sept. 13, 1999

99-178

Contact: Kent Fire Department: 206-972-4082
Department of Ecology: 206-663-1785 (PIO pager)

Chem Central Fire Update

KENT -- The Kent Fire Department, assisted by the Boeing Fire Department has extinguished a fire at the Chem Central Company facility at 7601 S. 190^th St. in Kent. Crews used foam to put out the blaze, which had been burning since 1 a.m. today. The fire was declared out at 3:30 p.m.

The Kent Fire Department is maintaining small evacuation area immediately downwind of fire due to heavy smoke. The area is a four-sided zone as follows:

North side: S. 188^th St., between 72^nd Ave. S and 80^th Ave. S.
West side: East side of 72^nd Ave. S. between S. 188^th St. and S. 196^th St.
East side: West side of 80^th Ave. S. between S. 188^th St. and S. 194^th St.
South Side: A diagonal line between the corners of 72^nd Ave. S.
and S. 196^th St; 96^th St; and S. 80^th Ave. S. and S. 194^th St..

A unified command to coordinate the safety and environmental response to the fire has been established by the Kent Fire Department, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Chem Central, Inc.

Preliminary data from a permanent, continuously running air pollution monitoring site at James and Central in downtown Kent shows moderate levels of particulate matter. Moderate pollution levels are within the national health standards for outdoor air quality. However, persons sensitive to particulate air pollution, such as the very young, the elderly, pregnant women, people with existing respiratory illnesses, and people engaging in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid exposure to particulate matter in the area by remaining indoors or by reducing the level of physical activity.

Smoke from the fire has drifted to the southwest and west. An atmospheric inversion was expected to lift by late morning or early afternoon, allowing the smoke to rise and dissipate higher into the air. Under the direction of the unified command, an environmental contractor, hired by Chem Central, will monitor the quality of the air and collect air samples downwind from fire site this afternoon to check levels of fine particulate matter in the air, as a health precaution.

Under direction from the Unified Command, Ecology, a response contractor hired by Chem Central and the City of Kent has blocked a ditch leading from the site to Springbrook Creek to prevent contaminants from flowing into the creek, as a result of this afternoon's efforts to put out the fire. Late this morning, investigators observed a white substance in the water of the creek. The exact nature of the substance is unknown at this time. Sampling and analysis are under way. Environmental impacts on Springbrook Creek unknown at this time.