Volatile Matter Taken From Shut-Down Firm

Potentially explosive acids and chemicals were hauled away Wednesday from a metal-finishing shop in Santa Ana where last week a green substance was discovered oozing onto the street and dangerous conditions were found inside, officials said.

Firefighters driving by Reid Metal Finishing Co. last Thursday noticed the substance and sent a hazardous waste unit to clean it up. In a more thorough inspection, fire officials found that the business, situated at 3110 W. Harvard St., was in gross violation of hazardous waste laws, Deputy City Atty. Luis Rodriguez said.

The Fire Department ordered the plant closed until it could comply with city codes. A temporary restraining order to effect the closure was issued Monday by Superior Court Commissioner Ron Bauer.

Open Cyanide Containers

“Maintenance and storage were totally inadequate,” Rodriguez said, adding that inspectors found open containers of cyanide that could turn into deadly gas upon contact with water or other chemicals. Storage drums containing “flammable, corrosive and highly toxic” chemicals were found leaking, one into an adjacent medical laboratory, he said. “A green, slimy material was emanating from walls and formed a pool of dark green liquid in a medical lab,” Rodriguez added.

Deputy Fire Chief Bill Reedy said investigators found incompatible materials stored together. “Acids and corrosives were stored with cyanides,” he said.

The firm’s owner, Jerry Reid, said that he has obtained “permits from the Fire Department to store everything I’ve got. It’s just that the storage is not safe anymore. There have been no hazardous chemicals spilled or any injuries.”

But permits alone are not sufficient, Rodriguez said. “He’s not exercising the responsibility necessary for the use of those kinds of materials. He’s got a very shoddy operation. Any combination of those materials and you’ve got an explosion.”

Reid arranged for licensed toxic-waste haulers to remove excessive substances from his property Wednesday. He said his plant “will be squeaky clean on hazardous materials beginning (this) morning.”

Fire Engine on Guard

Since Friday, a fire engine has been posted 24 hours a day outside the plant, located one block from an elementary school, at a cost of $90 an hour. Reid will foot the bill, Rodriguez said.

In addition, the city on Monday will present Reid with a list of structural code violations, including plumbing and electrical problems, Rodriguez said. “In combination with hazardous materials, you can really have a disaster,” he said. Reid said he has a good idea of what will be listed, and he expects it will take about four to eight weeks to comply.

“From talking with my customers, I don’t think I’ll lose much. I am getting a lot of support,” Reid said. He added that some customers have volunteered to help in the cleanup, and others, knowing that Reid had to pay a $20,000 deposit to have the toxic materials hauled away, are paying off their debts now. He said he plans to rehire all 14 employees.

A hearing on whether to continue the temporary restraining order was set for April 16 in Superior Court in Santa Ana.