Hangar Fire Reappears Amid Asbestos Concerns In Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — After remains of a hangar fire tested positive for asbestos earlier this week, officials say a fire was reignited.

The City of Tustin reported after 5:30 p.m. that there was an "active flareup" above the north doors of the north hangar at the former Tustin Air Base. Fire and police were on scene, and the city's emergency operations center was active to monitor the fire.

"Please continue to stay out of the area," the city stated. "Residents in the area should continue to keep their doors and windows closed as a precaution. We will continue to have our 24 hour fire watch personnel on site until further notice."

The fire had first erupted around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at the former Tustin Air Base north hangar at Valencia Avenue and Armstrong Road. The ash and fallout from the fire tested positive for asbestos, as well as heavy metals including lead, arsenic and nickel. Health and environmental concerns from the fallout led Orange County supervisors to call a special meeting this upcoming Monday to ratify a local emergency declaration.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District had issued a warning Wednesday about unhealthy air quality in the area, while schools in the Tustin Unified School District and several community parks closed Thursday. Schools were already scheduled to be closed Friday for Veterans Day, and several Veterans Day events were cancelled Saturday.

The former air base has two giant hangars built in 1942 that once housed blimps used in World War II. Listed on the national Register of Historic Places, the hangars stand 17 stories high, are over 1,000 feet long and 300 feet wide and are two of the largest wooden structures built at the air base, according to the Tustin Hangars website.

Residents of Tustin are advised to use caution in areas where asbestos has been detected. Asbestos exposure can increase the risk of lung disease or cancer, and ingesting it could damage the stomach or intestinal lining.

Here are tips from Orange County to reduce asbestos exposure:

• Avoid touching or disturbing the materials unless you have been properly trained to do so  
• Avoid touching fire debris/ash 
• Wear protective equipment (mask/gloves) if in an area where there is high risk of encountering asbestos 
• Remove shoes before entering your home 
• Keep windows closed on windy days to keep asbestos out 
• Spray your patio with water instead of sweeping it 
• Avoid using leaf blowers  
• Wash off ash from vehicles or outdoor toys or outdoor furniture 
• Wash ash off pets