Progress made in Cedar Rapids Sinclair fire

Cedar Rapids firefighters say they've made some progress on battling the stubborn blaze at the former Farmstead Foods meatpacking plant on the city's southeast side.

Fire officials also said today that the materials burning in the fire are "ordinary construction materials like what would be burning if there was a house or business on fire.

"We recommend anyone, especially with upper respiratory conditions, COPD or asthma, to stay indoors if the smoke is causing sensitivity," fire department spokesman Greg Buelow said today.

Here's the news release from Buelow, issued late this morning:

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department has several crews on scene at the Sinclair property site, 1600 3Firefighters have two ladder trucks extended to pour water on the fire from the air and other fire apparatus on scene to help with extinguishment.  Nearly three-quarters of a million gallons of water has been used in the effort since yesterday morning.Demolition crews are progressing on the south side by opening up walls.  As the demolition crews move towards the interior of the structures, they need to fill in the basement with debris to maintain footings for the heavy equipment.The wind is expected to shift to a northerly direction by evening, which will allow the Fire Department to more effectively impact the north side of the interconnected buildings that are on fire.  It is estimated that the interconnected buildings are about 125,000 square feet and the buildings have three floors and a basement.The Fire Department continues to encourage citizens to follow the recommendations of the Linn County Public Health Department concerning the smoke being produced from the fire.  The advisory recommends citizens, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, to limit outside exposure. Citizens with additional questions about air quality can contact Linn County Public Health at (319) 892-6000 or monitor updates at Fire crews have found wooden beams and corn that has burned.  Howard R. Green performed a damage assessment on the buildings involved to request FEMA reimbursement and did not find any asbestos.

^rd

Street SE, continuing fire suppression efforts.  Fire and demolition crews have made progress on the south side of the interconnected buildings, reducing the concentration of smoke ascending from that section of the complex.  There is still significant smoke coming from the north side of the multiple, interconnected buildings.

Firefighters have two ladder trucks extended to pour water on the fire from the air and other fire apparatus on scene to help with extinguishment.  Nearly three-quarters of a million gallons of water has been used in the effort since yesterday morning.

Demolition crews are progressing on the south side by opening up walls.  As the demolition crews move towards the interior of the structures, they need to fill in the basement with debris to maintain footings for the heavy equipment.

The wind is expected to shift to a northerly direction by evening, which will allow the Fire Department to more effectively impact the north side of the interconnected buildings that are on fire.  It is estimated that the interconnected buildings are about 125,000 square feet and the buildings have three floors and a basement.

The Fire Department continues to encourage citizens to follow the recommendations of the Linn County Public Health Department concerning the smoke being produced from the fire.  The advisory recommends citizens, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, to limit outside exposure. Citizens with additional questions about air quality can contact Linn County Public Health at (319) 892-6000 or monitor updates at www.cleanair.org.

Fire crews have found wooden beams and corn that has burned.  Howard R. Green performed a damage assessment on the buildings involved to request FEMA reimbursement and did not find any asbestos.

No further information is available at this time.