Center For Coalfield Justice: Cause Of Omnis Bailey Coal Waste Processing Plant Fire In Greene County Unknown

On June 5, the Center For Coalfield Justice said critical details regarding the fire that consumed a three-story building owned and operated by Omnis Bailey LLC at the CONSOL Bailey Mine Complex on May 20 remain unknown. 

The blaze sent thick black plumes of smoke over miles of Washington and Greene Counties, raising significant public health and safety concerns. 

Neither Omnis Bailey nor CONSOL have provided clear information about the incident, particularly regarding the chemicals involved in the fire beyond diesel fuel.

Sarah Martik, Executive Director of the Center for Coalfield Justice, said, "The public deserves full transparency. Omnis Bailey and CONSOL must inform the community about what caused this fire, the current cleanup activities, and how they will address the contamination. Where is the contaminated soil being taken? The people of southwestern Pennsylvania cannot be left in the dark."

The Center for Coalfield Justice obtained the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of the chemicals in the building, which we are including here. 

One of the MSDSs indicates that only foam or water misters (“water fog”) should be used in the event of a fire, yet millions of gallons of water were used, and it was reported that foam supplies were exhausted. 

It is not known whether the fire departments were given the MSDSs. 

Numerous fire departments from Washington, Greene, and Fayette counties and West Virginia were dispatched, and many commercial water tankers were on the scene. 

In addition, it is not known if the firefighting foam used may have contained PFAS ‘forever chemicals.’. 

Ethan Story, Advocacy Director of the Center for Coalfield Justice, said “If Omnis Bailey and CONSOL refuse to provide clarity and transparency, the State needs to provide answers as soon as possible. We are looking forward to a thorough report to be released with a press conference from the state fire marshal. The report should include a full accounting of what this cost the many volunteer fire departments and others who responded to this fire, and whether Omnis Bailey or CONSOL is going to reimburse them.”

Click Here for more on the fire from the Center for Coalfield Justice.

Visit the Center For Coalfield Justice website and on Facebook for more information.

NewsClip:

-- Observer-Reporter: State Police Fire Marshal Unable To Determine Cause Of the Bailey Mine Coal Waste Plant Fire In Greene County

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-- Center For Coalfield Justice: Cause Of Omnis Bailey Coal Waste Processing Plant Fire In Greene County Unknown  [PaEN] 

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[Posted: June 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest