Clean up after a Sunday night fire in an industrial area on Gainesville's east side has turned into a week-long effort.
Hall County Fire Services Capt. Zachary Brackett said in an update on Thursday afternoon that the agencies involved in clearing the scene of the AFCO commercial fire on Monroe Drive will remain on the scene through the weekend. He said that means Monroe Drive will remain closed from the Allen Creek Soccer Complex to Old Candler Road.
"Measures to control run off and contain product to the site have been established by creating dirt berms around the incident site and directing runoff into collection basins," Brackett wrote in a press release. "Heavy equipment has been brought in and is actively demolishing the building on Monroe Drive."
Earlier in the week, Brackett cautioned residents to stay away from Allen Creek because runoff from the chemical fire had affected the safety of the water. Federal and state environmental officials determined the pH levels in the creek were above normal from the site of the fire over to the Jackson County line.
"EPA will continue water quality monitoring in the creek again through the anticipated rainfall this weekend," Brackett said.
He said the Environmental Protection Agency will make a recommendation on when to lift the advisory along the creek.
To date, officials have not determined the cause of the fire.
