TCEQ continues investigation into Permian Basin Containers fire

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

A meeting was held Monday evening with State Representative Brooks Landgraf, Ector County 1st District Commissioner Mike Gardener, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to discuss the findings and cleanup efforts at the site.

“I just want to get people back to where they were before the fire,” said Rep. Landgraf. “It looks like everyone is working on that, and I sincerely hope that will continue to be the case.”

“Now we’re at the point where we’re trying to figure out what the cleanup and remediation looks like,” Gardener said. “As far as I’ve been involved, we haven’t dealt with that in the county yet.”

According to MP Landgraf, both air and water quality have been most affected by the fire and a distinct odor remains in the air. MP Landgraf said the fire debris has penetrated the soil and contaminated the water supply.

Representative Landgraf and Gardener took a ride through the area with TCEQ to see the technology used to detect and measure gas concentrations. TCEQ reported no abnormal gas concentrations in the area.

TCEQ said the owners of Permian Basin Containers will take full responsibility for the cleanup, but added that they will monitor the process.

“As long as (PBC owners) are cooperative and get things done in a timely manner, we will monitor what is happening and the cleanup and make sure things are done as intended,” a TCEQ investigator said.

This story is becoming more current. Stay up to date with the Permian Basin Containers fire investigation on YourBasin.com.