Cleaning Up Of Fire Site Nears Finish

Mop-up work neared completion Sunday at the Anaheim pesticide and herbicide dealership where a June 23 fire caused the evacuation of thousands of residents.

“We’re continuing to remove contaminated debris from the warehouse and continuing to solidify and lab-pack hazardous materials,” said Matthew Monsees, the federal Environmental Protection Agency on-scene coordinator at the Larry Fricker Co. “It’s pretty much under control.”

The warehouse, in the 1400 block of North State College Boulevard, is scheduled to be vacuumed and steam cleaned this morning. At the same time, the on-ramp to the westbound Riverside Freeway at State College, the last section of roadway closed by the fire, will be opened.

Undamaged Materials

Monsees said non-hazardous materials, including fertilizer and pesticides undamaged by fire, will remain in the warehouse. Company officials, who unsuccessfully sought to remove trucks from the warehouse parking area, will be permitted to enter on Tuesday, Monsees said.

Petty Officer Angelo Cleffi, one of four members of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Strike Team still helping with the cleanup, said he and his men have been well-received by area residents, especially in restaurants and stores.

“The community’s been very warm to us,” he said. “Not every community is,” because often until the team’s work is done, residents can’t return home.

The toxic fumes from the Fricker fire forced the closure of nearby businesses and the evacuation of thousands of residents in Anaheim, Placentia and Fullerton. Some stayed at public schools until they were allowed to return the night of June 25.

Firefighters, emergency personnel and members of the Orange County Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) team were handicapped in fighting the blaze because of initial uncertainty about the chemicals that were involved and their reaction with water.