The scorched stays of a World Conflict II blimp hangar in Tustin are being razed as air high quality officers name close by asbestos ranges “under any degree of concern” whereas persevering with to induce neighbors to take security precautions.
The big picket army relic went up in flames Nov. 7, showering ash and particles — later discovered to comprise asbestos — on close by residential neighborhoods.
The 17-story hangar smoldered for greater than every week, and residents have struggled to get details about the fallout on air high quality and airborne contaminants, together with when particles will likely be faraway from their properties. Whereas the property is owned by the Navy, a mixture of authorities businesses have been concerned within the firefight and aftermath, together with the Orange County Hearth Authority and the South Coast Air High quality Administration District.
“Our largest frustration total is that there’s simply no person in cost,” close by resident Jeff Lawrence advised The Occasions.
Deconstruction of the hangar needs to be accomplished within the subsequent day or two, Tustin officers stated Saturday. Plans name for extinguishing all remaining hotspots of the fireplace, utilizing heavy tools excavators to take away particles and clearing roadways so water vehicles can attain all areas of the hanger.
The vehicles outfitted with nozzles and hoses will likely be used for fireplace suppression and dirt abatement all through the method. The hangar doorways and their supporting concrete pillars will likely be stabilized and left in place in the interim.
“Since monitoring started, all particulate matter from smoke and fireplace information at group websites are properly under any degree of concern,” the town stated in a press release. “Asbestos sampling information acquired to this point are additionally properly under any ranges of concern.”
Most colleges within the space have been cleared for on-campus instruction attendance, however a couple of are nonetheless being inspected by asbestos consultants, the Tustin Unified College District stated on its web site Sunday.
Most public parks are open, however Centennial Park and Veterans Sports activities Park stay closed till additional discover, parks officers stated.
The Orange County Healthcare Company recommends individuals who imagine their neighborhood has been affected by fireplace particles take such precautions as holding doorways and home windows closed and never operating air con programs that attract outdoors air. Keep away from actions that may displace particles associated to the fireplace, equivalent to sweeping, leaf blowing, mowing and gardening.
Blocks of the town the place bulk particles from the fireplace has been collected are proven a map on the town web site.
Occasions employees author Hannah Fry contributed to this report
