EPA Gives St. Louis All Clear After Warehouse Fire

ST. LOUIS, MO — After a series of air quality tests, the Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it found no traces of asbestos or other hazardous materials in surrounding neighborhoods. Some asbestos, a fireproof insulation material known to cause cancer, was found around around the perimeter of the warehouse Wednesday, leading to the initial concerns.

More than 100 firefighters from across the city and St. Louis county battled the fire all day Wednesday and into Thursday before it was finally extinguished. A cache of 150,000 citronella candles provided some of the fuel that kept the fire burning so long, officials said. Various area businesses leased space in the block by block-and-a-half warehouse.

At once point, firefighters were driven back by the intense flames. Shortly after, one wall collapsed onto an unoccupied firetruck. Two firefighters suffered non-life threatening burns and smoke inhalation, but many said they were surprised there weren't more injuries.

Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety Gregg Favre said on Twitter this morning, "When normally brash guys quietly say, 'Today was the scariest moment of my career' or 'I felt bricks hitting my heels,' they aren't bragging. I don't think most people realize how close we came to a major tragedy today."

Firefighters worked to ensure the fire did not spread to neighboring homes and businesses as flames and black smoke continued to billow into the sky through the night. Yesterday afternoon, officials began to warn that the smoke may be hazardous, and urged citizens to stay to the west and north of the building, or to avoid the area entirely. Nearby hospitals were told to shut off their heating and cooling systems.

Firefighters were called back to the building over the weekend to pump more water on the smoldering ruins amid fears that the fire might be rekindled.

The fire started in the warehouse's basement where workers reported an electrical smell or the scent of burning rubber shortly before the fire started. Officials have said they have no indications the fire was anything other than an accident, but an official cause may be hard to determine.

Watch: Crews Battle Raging Fire At St. Louis Warehouse

3900blk of Park - 5 Alarm Warehouse #Fire (Update - 3) https://t.co/7lyyEYMowr
— St. Louis Fire Dept (@STLFireDept) November 15, 2017

Image via Associated Press