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Environmental Awards recognize IEI fire response

Photo Provided Representatives from local fire departments who responded to the IEI warehouse fire last October were in Charleston Thursday to accept the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Emergency Response Award from WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Austin Caperton during a ceremony.

CHARLESTON — The chief of the Lubeck Volunteer Fire Department Thursday was recognized for his work during a major fire in Wood County last year by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

Chief Mark Stewart, who was incident commander for the fire that destroyed the IEI warehouse in Parkersburg, was presented the Cabinet Secretary Environmental Award during a ceremony in Charleston.

”Chief Stewart worked tirelessly to coordinate the emergency response to the IEI fire and ensured that accurate information was shared with the news media and citizens of the area,” the award summary said.

The annual Environmental Awards recognize the accomplishments of residents and organizations to protect the environment, be good corporate neighbors and educate citizens.

The October fire at the warehouse, which smoldered longer than a week, sent smoke into the air that could be seen for miles. More than three dozen agencies from the region responded.

Photo Provided The WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Award was presented to Chief Mark Stewart of the Lubeck Volunteer Fire Department by WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Austin Caperton during a ceremony in Charleston on Thursday.

“Chief Stewart and these first responders don’t do what they do to receive awards, but they deserve the highest recognition that the WVDEP can offer,” WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Austin Caperton said. “They selflessly stepped up to do a dangerous job in order to put out the fire and to gather information about what kind of impact the fire was having on the public health and the environment.”

Also, the Emergency Response Award was presented to emergency responders to the IEI warehouse fire.

”Despite the best efforts of volunteer fire crews from Wood County and the surrounding area the fire continued to burn for several days, resulting in thick black smoke that could be seen for miles in every direction,” the summary said. ”The effort to keep the flames under control and to measure the impact on the environment involved dozens of rapid response agencies.

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