back to news releases

July 15, 2008
Shelley Szafraniec
Community Information Specialist

VOLUSIA COUNTY FIRE SERVICES RESPONDS TO STRUCTURE FIRE; HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE PLUME INTO AIR

Volusia County Fire Services responded to a structure fire at approximately 5:04 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at 412 W. Highbanks Road, DeBary. Upon arriving on scene, firefighters found a wood barn fully involved. Firefighters began an exterior attack of the structure. While fighting the fire, the homeowner noticed smoke coming from the back of an adjacent one-story, concrete block home. Firefighters investigated the smoke and found fire in the back master bedroom of the home. Firefighters were able to confine the fire in the house to the bedroom. However, a pet bird that was in the bedroom perished. The barn was a total loss and continues to burn.

The State Fire Marshal determined the cause of the barn fire was lightning. Investigators believe the fire traveled from the barn to the house via a coaxial cable that was part of a home security monitoring system, according to Volusia County Fire Services Battalion Commander Tim Martin.

While fighting the barn fire, the homeowner notified the firefighters he had several different chemicals stored inside the barn, to include approximately 1,500 pounds of copper, an underground storage system for approximately 200 pounds of fertilizer and other unidentified chemicals. As a result of the fire, the chemicals released a plume into the air.

Volusia County Hazardous Materials team responded to the scene to determine if the chemicals and plume posed a hazard to area residents. As a precautionary measure, residents were contacted and advised to stay inside their homes while the hazardous material technicians performed air monitoring tests in the area. (The home was approximately two miles west of 17-92 at Highbanks Road and affected a quarter of a mile area, approximately 50 homes.) At this time, residents have been notified they no longer need to shelter to place.

Thirteen hazardous material technicians used eight monitoring devices to evaluate the air quality in a quarter-mile radius of the home, according to Nicholas Castelli, coordinator for the Volusia County Hazardous Materials team. All readings from the monitors came back normal.

"Copper burns at an accelerated rate and is very difficult to extinguish," according to Castelli. In addition the other chemicals stored at the barn continue to decompose.

Hazardous material technicians and firefighters will monitor the air quality and fire at the barn overnight, as it continues to smolder, to ensure it does not spread.

Residents should not be alarmed by the firefighters in the area. At this time, the smoke is not posing any threats to the residents in the area. However, people with respiratory sensitivities should take precaution to avoid prolonged exposure to the smoke.

Agencies that assisted Volusia County Fire Services with the fire were Deltona Fire, Orange City Fire, EVAC Ambulance, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, State Fire Marshal and the Volusia County Hazardous Materials Team.

back to news releases

.