PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Days later, there are still lots of questions about the huge warehouse fire in northwest Portland over the weekend.
The flames sparked at the Centennial Mills warehouse on Sunday afternoon, leaving only a shell of the historic building that has stood in the Pearl District for more than 100 years.
Even though the flames are out, people who live and work nearby are still feeling the effects. Adding to their concerns, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality confirmed on Wednesday that the ash that came from the massive blaze tested positive for asbestos.
Neighbor McKenna Menner emailed the KOIN 6 Newsroom with a letter from her Homeowners Association.
"They did some third-party testing of the debris that came…they came back showing that it did test positive for asbestos," Menner said. "(I'm) definitely concerned as I have a dog walking around that area. I've never been around a fire like that."
What is asbestos? It's a hazardous mineral fiber that is dangerous to touch or even breathe in; it's often found in older buildings.
State DEQ officials also said records show a lot of asbestos abatement and removal from that property in previous years, but not all of it was removed before the fire. Below is how they caution people to remove the hazardous material on their own:
To clean up ash and debris found outdoors:
— Wear a mask if you have one. (An N95 is preferred but the best mask available to you will do.) Wearing a mask will provide additional protection from any dust released in the air while cleaning and bagging the ash or debris.
— Put on waterproof gloves (for example, dish gloves, or disposable latex or nitrile gloves commonly used in healthcare).
— Thoroughly wet down or soak the material with water to keep dust down. (Use a spray bottle, hose, bucket, etc.).
— Place the ash or debris into a trash bag and tie the bag. Place that bag and your gloves and mask (if your mask is disposable) into a second trash bag and tie that bag.
— Place trash into your garbage can.
— Once you are finished cleaning, wash your hands, and wash any material off your body or clothing right away.
To clean up ash and debris indoors:
— See above for how to safely handle debris.
— Use a spray bottle to mist the surface you plan to clean.
— Use a damp cloth to clean the surface.
— Use a wet mop on hard-surface floors.
— Avoid activities that could stir up ash or debris and make it airborne again, such as using a leaf blower, sweeping with a broom, or vacuuming without a HEPA filter.
How to minimize exposure to dust and debris:
— Take your shoes off whenever you go into your home to avoid tracking debris inside. Wash your pet's feet when they come inside. Wash children's hands often with soap and warm water.
The city of Portland also released new information on Wednesday, including continued closures and updates on the active investigation; those updates can be found here.
Portland Fire & Rescue officials told KOIN 6 News that the building will likely come down next week. How that happens is still in the works; officials say the way the structure stands and how the water tower sits could prove difficult for a simple demolition. They said there is also the possibility the structure falls on its own, which is why a huge perimeter remains blocked off.
As they grapple with the aftermath of the fire, neighbors like McKenna are left to wait, and wonder.
"I think just wanting to know the transparency about the situation and what the next steps are with the building," Menner said.
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