Cleanup crews began going door-to-door Friday through neighborhoods surrounding the old Kmart building that caught fire earlier this month – offering to remove ashen debris that some worry might contain cancer-causing asbestos.
But the latest test results released by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality this week show no asbestos has been found in the air or debris that drifted onto nearby properties.
Meanwhile on Thursday, a resident who lives within a mile of the site of the fire filed a class-action lawsuit against RFC Joint Venture, the company that owns the building, and Prologis, the company leasing it. The suit, first reported by Willamette Week, claims the companies allowed people who are experiencing homelessness to “freely enter” the “derelict property,” which accumulated “dangerous and flammable materials” over time.
The suit estimates that more than 2,000 homes may be affected.
The cleanup is being offered by Prologis, which had been working to convert the building near Northeast 122nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard into a warehouse and distribution center. That, however, has raised objections from some residents over increased traffic and pollution. The building erupted in flames on July 19, with embers and massive columns of smoke billowing into nearby neighborhoods.
Prologis crews began removing debris from the fire from nearby schools and parks, according to the company. On Friday, more than 20 crews started canvassing the most affected neighborhoods and offering to remove large debris of 1 inch or larger from yards.
The crews are seeking permission from residents first. If no one is home, they’re leaving information about how to summon the crews back to do the work. Residents also can request cleanup by emailing kmartfireneighborhoodcleanup@gmail.com.
Officials at DEQ say it’s safe for residents to clean up the debris on their own, as long as they follow guidance that includes gently wetting the debris and wearing a high-quality mask, such as an N95.
— Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
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