A fire truck transports water toward the site where a fire reportedly rekindled Saturday morning at the Peoples Cartage warehouse on Camden Avenue just outside of Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG – Multiple fire departments returned to the Peoples Cartage warehouse complex on Camden Avenue this morning after the fire that had burned for three days earlier in the week rekindled.

The Wood County 911 Center received the call just before 5:30 a.m., a supervisor said. The Blennerhassett, Deerwalk, East Wood, Lubeck, Mineral Wells, Pond Creek, Waverly and Williamstown volunteer fire departments responded, along with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and WVU Medicine Camden Clark Ambulance Service.

Smoke was visible in the sky over the warehouse around 7:10 a.m., but not the thick black plume that could be seen for miles around on July 5.

That incident drew firefighters from every department in the county, and beyond, as well as officials from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the effects on air and water. A shelter in place was issued Monday and lifted on Tuesday, when the fire was declared extinguished.

On Friday evening, the West Virginia Department of Health announced it had issued a cease-and-desist order on cleanup efforts at the site due to the potential presence of asbestos.

Fire trucks were relaying water Saturday morning to the site where a fire reportedly rekindled at the Peoples Cartage warehouse on Camden Avenue just outside Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

According to a release from the department, officials determined that, based on the age of the building and visual observations during the cleanup process, asbestos might be present at the site.

“Under the department’s order, the owners of Peoples Cartage will be directed to utilize licensed asbestos contractors to determine the best way to manage and dispose of debris in a manner that is protective of the public’s health,” the release says.

When a building is damaged by fire, materials containing asbestos may be disturbed, potentially releasing fibers into the environment, the release says. The health risk depends on multiple factors, including the type and amount of materials involved, the extent of the damage, wind and weather conditions, proximity to the site, duration of exposure, and the methods used to contain and remove debris, it says.

“Asbestos-related illnesses are generally associated with significant and repeated exposure over time, not brief exposure,” said Acting State Health Officer and Acting Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mark McDaniel. “Individuals who were around the initial fire or exposed to its smoke who are experiencing persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or discomfort, or other respiratory symptoms should consult their healthcare provider.”

Individuals most likely to experience respiratory complications are those with preexisting conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reactive airway disease and asthma, the release says. Smoke exposure can cause mild irritation and may lead to serious breathing complications.

The release says protecting the community’s health and safety is the department’s priority, and cleanup activities can resume after appropriate measures have been implemented in accordance with state requirements.

East Wood Volunteer Fire Chief Ron Utt said one burning area covered about 75 feet by 75 feet. Crews used an excavator to dig into the material, move it around and allow water to reach heat trapped beneath the surface. Firefighters also found another smoking area behind the building and extinguished it.

“Everything appears to be out right now,” Utt said Saturday morning. “But like I said, this plastic — this rubbery plastic — it just holds heat, and it can sit there for days and then all of a sudden develop a spot.”

Utt compared the material to cooled lava, saying the surface can appear extinguished while significant heat remains trapped underneath piles that are 4 to 5 feet deep. The material will likely remain a concern until it can be moved and the underlying hot spots exposed, he said.

Utt also said Peoples Cartage had received a cease-and-desist order Friday from the health department and was not permitted to continue moving the material. Before the order, workers using excavators had been able to uncover and extinguish some hot spots themselves, he said.