FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. – The Critical Mineral Recovery facility fire that began on Oct. 30 is officially extinguished, according to Kevin Jones, PIO for the Fredericktown Fire Department. They’ve terminated their command of the site, returning control to the company. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Critical Mineral Recovery Facility fire and its hotspots are extinguished

  • EPA air monitoring has concluded

  • People will return to their homes after a specialist clears them for habitation

  • Clean-up and demolition of the facility remain forthcoming 

"The building has shown no increases in temperature and materials have cooled to ambient temperatures,” Jones said.

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 has demobilized as well. EPA’s air monitoring data can be found on their documents page. 

When the fire started, the fire department told many homes upwind to evacuate and others to shelter in place. Currently, a plan is being finalized for those families to return to their homes, but a company that specializes in environmental, health, and safety is testing affected homes closest to the fire first. Affected homes that are in need of cleaning will be contacted. 

If you were not contacted but feel that you were affected, the Madison County Health department recommends wearing well-fitted, NIOSH-certified masks or respirators, long sleeves, and/or gloves. They also recommend frequent washing, especially for those that come in contact with ash and debris. If you’re participating in the cleanup, do so for a limited time. Don’t participate if you have a lung disease and seek out your doctor if symptoms arise related to exposure to soot and smoke. Keep children and pets away from the cleanup. 

“Clean-up and demolition of the facility remain forthcoming and will be handled by an environmental remediation contractor,” said Jones. “This contractor continues to collect and store water runoff captured over the past two weeks, which is being tested and treated. They are working closely with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on a plan for the safe disposal of this water.”

The following agencies were involved in the response according to the EPA:

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7

  • Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR)

  • Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)

  • Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

  • Fredericktown Fire Department - View incident updates via their Facebook page.

  • Fredericktown Police Department

  • Madison County Emergency Management

  • Madison County Health Department

  • Madison County Sheriff's Department

  • Missouri State Highway Patrol

  • Missouri State Emergency Management Agency