TCEQ continues investigation of Permian Basin Containers fire

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Nearly one week after a fire scorched Permian Basin Containers and forced many to evacuate their homes, the cause of the fire is still unknown. However, those in the area say they are still feeling the effects.

A meeting was held Monday evening with State Representative Brooks Landgraf, Ector County Commissioner of Precinct 1 Mike Gardener and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to discuss what was found and the cleanup operation of the site.

“[I] Just want to get people back to where they were before the fire,” Rep. Landgraf said. “It looks like everybody is working in that direction and I sincerely hope that continues to be the case.”

“Now we’re at the point where we’re trying to find out what the cleanup looks like and what the remediation looks like,” Gardener said. “This is something that we’ve not dealt with in the county as far as I’ve been involved in.”

According to Rep. Landgraf, both the air and water quality have been most affected by the fire and there continues to be a distinct odor in the air. Rep. Landgraf said the fire residue has seeped into the ground and contaminated the water supply.

Rep. Landgraf and Gardener participated in a ride-along with TCEQ around the area to see the technology used to detect and read gas levels. TCEQ reported no abnormal gas levels in the area.

TCEQ said the owners of Permian Basin Containers are taking full responsibility for the cleanup effort, however adding that it would oversee the operation.

“As long as [the owners of PBC] are being cooperative and they’re doing things in a timely manner, we’re going to oversee what’s going on and oversee the cleanup, making sure things are getting done like they’re supposed to,” a TCEQ investigator said.

This is a developing story. Stay up to date with the Permian Basin Containers fire investigation on YourBasin.com.

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