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By JOLYN RESNICK jresnick@leader.net
Monday, February 07, 2000 Page: 3A
NANTICOKE – Officials from the Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency
and the Department of Environmental Protection on Sunday were called to
examine the contents of barrels found inside an abandoned warehouse that
collapsed.
The one-story cinder-block building on the 300 block of Moser Street is
owned by Keith Perluke, said Nanticoke Mayor John Toole. Toole said it was
used for storage. In the past, it was a place where beer barrels were cleaned,
he said.
At least seven barrels were found inside the building, said Steve Bekanich,
deputy director of the EMA. He said some barrels were rusted, two did not have
lids and a few might have leaked.
The barrels were labeled as containing nitric acid, but tests have to be
taken to determine what the barrels contained. EMA specialist Kevin O’Brien
said the substance did test positive for a strong acid.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 4:30 p.m. when a resident noticed
the center of the building had collapsed. Officials did not know when the
building collapsed.
Bekanich said there was no danger of explosion because the cold weather
would keep the acid from vaporizing.
But, after DEP officials arrived at about 7 p.m., Toole said some of the
barrels might be moved Sunday night. He said officials were afraid that the
building would collapse further and crack open the barrels.
Nearby residents did not have to evacuated.
He said emergency crews did not know what would happen if the acid mixed
with snow.
Toole said city officials were unaware the acid was being stored in the
building. He said such substances should have been registered with the fire
department. Toole said the owner probably will have to pay for the cleanup.
John Golanowski, who lives across the street from the building, said the
structure has been an eyesore, and a danger.
Call Resnick at 829-7210.