At 1803 on Monday, April 10, 1989, the Ventura County Fire Department received a report of smoke coming from the Pacific Intermediates occupancy, from the proprietor of an adjoining business. A first alarm response of two engine companies, one ladder company, and a Battalion Chief was dispatched. The first arriving units reported smoke showing, and the HazMat teams from both Ventura County and Ventura City were requested, along with the inspector who had been managing the case. Entry was made to the adjoining occupancies to check for fire extension, but not into the chemical company.
The incident commander consulted with the HazMat teams and with the inspector to develop a plan of action. Three major concerns were addressed:
- Mixing of chemicals inside the building
- Airborne products of combustion
- Liquid runoff
A steady westerly wind of 7 to 8 mph was blowing the products of combustion into an unpopulated area, allowing operations to be set up on the west side of the building. After a detailed assessment of the situation, a decision was made to set up for a cautious entry from the upwind side, through the south adjoining occupancy, to stop extension in that direction. A decontamination area was established, and companies prepared to move in cautiously.
By the time the attack team was ready, the fire had vented through the roof of the building and was burning through the wall into the adjoining occupancy. The attack was initiated at 2030 and was successful in knocking down most of the visible fire in the Pacific Intermediates occupancy with a brief application of hose streams. As the situation appeared to be coming under control, the wind shifted, and the production of smoke and vapors increased dramatically. This made it necessary to abandon the established decon area and all of the equipment that had been assembled on the west side of the building. The attack teams were withdrawn quickly at 2058 and directed to a clear area.
With the decon area unusable, the attack team was gathered in a parking area to await decontamination. A considerable delay was encountered, during which time one of the company officers reported feeling ill and extremely fatigued. He was decontaminated with a hose stream and transported by ambulance to a hospital where he received treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. After decontamination, the remaining 14 members of the attack team and the property owner were transported to the hospital for evaluation. All of these individuals were tested and released, showing no symptoms of exposure injury.
The command post was rapidly relocated and a reassessment of the situation was made. The County Sheriff's representative was asked to begin evacuating the residential and business occupancies to the north at 2118. The evacuation took place in two phases, eventually involving 1,500 residents. Two additional HazMat teams were requested, from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties, each responding from over 50 miles to the scene.
The fire became very spectacular as the large quantities of flammable liquids stored in the building became involved. Flames extended to the two occupancies north of the chemical company, and they were also totally destroyed. With most of the available fuel consumed, the fire died down at approximately 0200 hours. HazMat team members wearing B-level protective clothing over structural firefighting protective clothing made an entry into the fire area at that time to complete extinguishment.
Runoff from the fire was contained by diking the roads and parking lots around the building. In the process of diking, an additional Fire Department member reported symptoms of exposure to chemical vapors while assisting a backhoe operator. This member was also transported to the hospital and was released after evaluation.
The amount of water used by firefighters was held to a minimum, but a broken domestic water pipe added considerably to the runoff volume and to the concern with water reactive chemicals in the building. Hazardous waste contractors collected all of the liquid and contaminated soil after the site was turned over to Environmental Health authorities. Residents of the town were able to return to their homes at dawn, but several adjoining businesses remained inaccessible for several days.
Fire investigators were unable to determine the cause of the fire due to the total destruction of the area of origin.
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