TFRD Responds to Second-Alarm Fire on South Ave. (Brent Industries)

Update October 2, 12 p.m.

Current Status

• Pollution runoff has been contained, impacted soil has been removed, and the affected tanks have been remediated.
• A private contractor is performing the cleanup under Ohio EPA oversight.
• The site is now in its final phase: Ohio EPA is awaiting results of the generated waste sample, which will determine whether the material is classified as hazardous or nonhazardous and where it can be legally disposed of. Once that waste is removed from the site, Ohio EPA expects to close its case.
• Environmental Services continues to monitor air quality and Hudson Ditch daily during cleanup activities, with all readings normal.

US EPA Brent Industries Emergency Response

Timeline of Key Developments

August 18 - Fire and building collapse at the Brent Industries textile reconditioning facility, 2900 block of South Avenue. Two fatalities. Mineral spirits tanks on-site created an additional hazard; TFRD, EPA, and Toledo Environmental Services responded.

August 19-21 - Fire substantially extinguished; environmental monitoring found no air quality or drinking water concerns for the surrounding community.

August 23-29 - Brent Industries engaged GHD to manage the cleanup and site remediation. GHD performed daily containment checks and air monitoring; it completed impacted soil removal on August 29.

September 2 - Staff observed a small flame in a smoldering tank during cleaning operations. GHD staff extinguished it within the hour; Toledo Fire was notified. Operations resumed after the tank was assessed.

September 4-5 - Tank assessment, product removal, and tank cleaning/purging activities concluded. GHD discontinued community air monitoring and daily boom monitoring at Hudson Ditch with Ohio EPA approval, based on consistently clean readings.

September 6 - US EPA officially handed the site back to the State of Ohio and City of Toledo for continued oversight of cleanup, containment, and monitoring.

September 11-16 - Status has held steady: Ohio EPA continues to await results of the generated waste sample. Once received, that will determine the disposal pathway and whether any further monitoring is needed. Ohio EPA has indicated no further site visits are planned unless conditions change, and this is expected to be their last or near-last update before case closure.

September 18 - 29 - Solid and liquid waste have been temporarily stored on site while testing occurs. Waste disposal plans and demolition timeline will be developed over the next week. The site is secured when personnel are not present.

Update August 21, 1 p.m.

The fire is substantially extinguished, with crews continuing to monitor isolated areas of smoldering. TFRD will begin reducing its presence at the scene as conditions allow while maintaining resources to address any changing fire conditions.

Environmental monitoring conducted by the U.S. EPA and Toledo Environmental Services has identified no current air quality or drinking water concerns for the surrounding community. Environmental monitoring and mitigation efforts will continue as needed.

South Avenue will reopen to traffic as conditions allow, although intermittent closures may be necessary to support ongoing operations. TPD will continue assisting with scene security while the property is secured.

The investigation into the cause and origin of the fire remains ongoing. TFRD Fire Investigation Unit personnel, ATF, and other involved parties are expected to resume investigative operations Monday, August 24.

TFRD thanks the numerous local, state, and federal agencies that have worked collaboratively throughout this complex incident.

Additional information will be released as appropriate.

US EPA Brent Industries Emergency Response

Update August 18, 7 p.m.

The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department is providing additional information regarding this morning's commercial fire and building collapse at an industrial textile reconditioning and recycling facility in the 2900 block of South Avenue.

During ongoing operations, crews located two victims, one male and one female, who were pronounced deceased. The Lucas County Coroner's Office will be responsible for identification of the victims and any subsequent release of their identities.

TFRD extends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of both victims during this tragic time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to assist with monitoring conditions associated with the incident. As a precaution, individuals in the surrounding area are advised to avoid contact with smoke from the fire. Those who are able may also consider keeping doors and windows closed while smoke remains present in the area. There is currently no shelter-in-place order in effect.

TFRD crews will remain on scene monitoring fire conditions and maintaining scene security as operations continue. Partner agencies also continue to assist with environmental and other safety considerations related to the incident.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation. No additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the fatalities is available at this time.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Original release, August 18, 9 a.m.

At approximately 4:50 a.m. this morning, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire at an industrial textile reconditioning and recycling facility in the 2900 block of South Avenue.

Based on information received while crews were responding, the incident was upgraded to a second-alarm response prior to the arrival of the first TFRD units, bringing additional personnel and apparatus to the scene.

Initial reports indicated that approximately 12 individuals were believed to be inside the facility at the time of the fire. At this time, two individuals remain unaccounted for, and crews continue working to locate them. Employees who were able to evacuate the facility were evaluated and treated for injuries on scene.

The incident has also been classified as a building collapse, adding significant complexity to ongoing fire suppression and search operations. TFRD Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue crews, in addition to Toledo Environmental Services and the EPA, are also on scene and actively involved in the response. Multiple tanks containing mineral spirits are located at the facility, creating an additional hazard for responding crews. TFRD personnel are monitoring the tanks and conditions surrounding them as operations continue.

This remains an active and evolving incident. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to safely operate.

The cause and origin of the fire have not yet been determined. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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