PARKERSBURG, W.Va. –The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection says air monitoring will continue as crews continue battling the Peoples Cartage warehouse fire in Parkersburg.
A release sent to MetroNews by the DEP, stated that on Sunday they began using five-gas meters that monitor for carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, oxygen, and lower-explosive limits and no elevated readings of concern were detected.
The DEP stated they requested air monitoring assistance from U.S. EPA Region 3, who arrived Sunday afternoon. They both deployed air monitors for smoke related particulate matter and five monitors for volatile organic compounds within a half-mile radius of the site.
A shelter-in-place was issued for residents within a half-mile radius of the monitoring location. The DEP said that a smoke-related air monitor, which is located at a campground due north of the facility, showed signs of elevated levels of particulate matter.
The DEP encourages anyone with health concerns to contact local and county health and emergency management officials for guidance.
Air monitoring will continue as the situation evolves.
Governor Patrick Morrisey also sent out a statement Monday.
Morrisey encouraged, once again for individuals to shelter-in-place, while also assuring residents that air monitoring continues.
“The safety of the people of Wood County remains my highest priority. We are taking a cautious approach, working closely with our local, state, and federal partners, and providing every available resource necessary to protect the public while this response continues,” he said in the statement. “I also want to thank our firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and the many first responders who have been working around the clock to contain this fire and protect the surrounding community. Their courage, professionalism, and dedication have been extraordinary. Please continue following the guidance of local emergency officials as we work together to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
An investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.