The Anaheim Fire: Chemicals and Public-Health Risks

The Times’ coverage of the Anaheim toxic fire brought back a flood of memories for me. On July 10, 1981, our neighborhood was besieged by a 10-hour fire of toxic origin. It seems an illegal dump was storing 10,000 to 18,000 barrels of toxic waste, some cancer-causing, on a lot bordering La Mirada, South Whittier and Santa Fe Springs.

Residents were not evacuated despite the fact that the barrels were exploding and spraying the neighborhood with chemicals and hot metal pieces. Not only were we not evacuated but hundreds of people were also allowed into the area to sight-see.

When I questioned the Sheriff’s Department in Norwalk to find out why we weren’t evacuated, I was told it was not their responsibility. I got the same response from the La Mirada, Whittier and Santa Fe Springs city halls.

I also asked whose responsibility it was to keep the children out of the water flowing in the streets surrounding the fire site. Again I was told nobody was responsible. That same water run-off killed 250,000 fish off Seal Beach via the creek.

The dump was eventually cleaned up with Superfund money (and quickly, I might add) in spite of the government’s insistence that our fears were unfounded.

Anaheim is to be commended for caring about its residents. The action it took probably saved a lot of heartache and money. I realize what I have related to you is old news; however, my point is that the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund needs support and funds so that toxic sites can be cleaned up before a catastrophe occurs.

ROSE MARIE ROMERO

Whittier