EPA begins cleanup at Maywood magnesium fire site

The EPA on Monday began cleaning up the site of a June magnesium fire in Maywood. Above, firefighters on June 15 work outside of the industrial fire that broke out in the early morning. (File photo by David Crane/SCNG)

An eight-week, $3 million cleanup began Monday at a Maywood industrial property where a three-alarm fire on June 14 released hazardous materials, displacing some area residents.

The fire gutted a warehouse in the 3500 block of Fruitland Avenue that housed scrap metal recycling business Panda International Trading.

“As a result of debris removal, odors from burned material may be noticeable in the area,” according to a statement released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Air will be monitored during the cleanup and measures taken “to ensure contaminants at the site do not pose a health risk,” according to the EPA, which reported that debris barriers would also be employed keep material and dust from reaching the surrounding neighborhood.

Magnesium, copper, zinc and lead were among the explosive materials present at the torched business, along with chemicals and propane, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby said.

The fire sparked a series of strong explosions that sent a thick plume of noxious smoke over the region and resulted in evacuations. Residents of nearly 40 households were temporarily displaced, authorities said.

In the aftermath of the blaze, a unified command was established that included personnel from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Health Hazardous Materials Division.

— City __news Service