The building had no fire suppression system.
>>Tanker truck strikes pole, porch, other cars near Springfield
Simmons said that fire crews responded to a report of a commercial structure fire at about 10 p.m., and took about 4 hours to get under control.
“We were able to attain that one of the businesses in the structure deals in plastics,” he said, adding, “They had some raw materials here that just made it very, very difficult to put that fire out.”
Credit: DaytonDailyNews
About half of the building was fully involved with the fire, which fire crews kept contained with water. However, there was only a limited supply of foam that was needed to extinguish the petroleum-based plastic, and crews were unable to reach where those materials were burning. Assistance was requested from Ludlow Falls, Pleasant Hill and Tipp City.
Troy Fire Department later called for assistance from Wright-Patt’s fire department, which brought a crash truck and tanker of foam to help engage and put out the fire.
>>Dayton business hit by tornado now victim of theft
The fire was also complicated by other businesses in the building.
According to Simmons, the business next to where plastics were stored dealt in ethanol products, apparently for racing vehicles, so contained chemical additives, making the blaze a unusual situation that the department had never encountered before.
The smoke from the fire was also a concern due to the chemicals in the building. According to Simmons, due to low winds a “bank of smoke” formed in the area. However, the smoke is now not an issue.
Now that the fire is out, the concern is mainly over the effects from chemicals that were released.
The state fire marshal will be investigating the fire tomorrow, along with officials from the Environmental Protection Agency. The investigation will look for the cause of the fire, but also at what chemicals were in the building and what problems they could potentially cause.
>>One month later, old North Dayton businesses more optimistic following tornadoes
Officials will also look at where chemicals may have been carried by the water used to fight the blaze, though Simmons did not think that it will be a problem.
“The water runoff wasn’t going to a stream that was affecting anything,” he said. “Looks like it’s just going to leach into the ground, here.”
The fire department will also be looking into possible health issues for its personnel, particularly those who were helping fight the fire without a breathing apparatus. It will also need to thoroughly clean the gear of those firefighters that entered the structure to remove any harmful materials.
Simmons expressed gratitude for the aid given by the fire departments called to the scene.
“We're just thankful that we have a good response from mutual aid,” he said. “Ludlow Falls, Tipp City, Pleasant Hill is a godsend, but also Wright-Patt tonight, you know, was a game-changer with all the foam they were able to bring us and actually help us put that fire out.”
>>800 gallons of liquid nitrogen spill in 2-vehicle crash in Darke County
INITIAL REPORT:
A fire that broke out Wednesday night at a business has a portion of Ohio 55 shut down just outside Troy.
The fire was reported shortly after 10 p.m. at PlayCare Playground Specialists, 2510 W. Market St.
>> Drivers injured in head-on collision near WACO Air Museum in Troy
The business was not open and the building not occupied when the fire was reported, according to the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.
According to its website, PlayCare specializes in playground equipment sales, parts, upgrades, installations and safety surfacing.
About the Author