These reports describe significant environmental incidents reported to and tracked by the National Response Center. They reflect both new incidents and follow-up information describing actions taken for previously reported events. The NRC publishes Incident Summary Reports periodically upon receipt of documentary information from the Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
| Occurrence Date: | 1 October |
|---|---|
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Source: | Electrical Transformers |
| Material: | PCB's |
| Severity: | Unknown |
| Quantity Discharged: | Unknown |
| Quantity in Water: | None |
| Body of Water Affected: | None |
| Federal On-Scene Coordinator: | EPA Region III |
At 08:27 am on 01-Oct-99 the National Response Center received notification from the DC Emergency Management Agency reporting an electrical transformer fire in the Department of Commerce building. It is not known how much material was released from the transformer. Four hundred people were evacuated. Forty-two people including six firefighters were taken to the hospital and treated for exposure to the oil and smoke inhalation. The fire was extinguished but officals are concerned about the presence and employee expsoure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs). Fourteenth Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue has been shut down for an unknown amount of time. The Commerce Building is expected to be closed for the duration of the weekend. CASE CLOSED