Toxic smoke raises health concerns

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Chandler Street has endured more than its share of industrial fires and environmental threats over the years.

Residents of the half-dozen or so blocks surrounding Niagara Lubricants were warned by police and firefighters to stay inside and close up their windows and doors as cloud after cloud of toxic black smoke billowed out over the neighborhood.

Amy Block said, "I actually went to them, and asked them what to do. But they had seen me outside with the kids, and told me it was hazardous for their health."

The very young, the very old, and people with breathing problems were most susceptible to the fumes.

Faith O'Neil said, "I have asthma, and so does my baby granddaughter; [she]'s on a breathing machine sometimes, because of her asthma. So yeah, I was concerned. So I kept the kids close, and in the house. Usually, they're running the street."

Not everyone followed firefighters' instructions to create a shelter-in-place. Even though she has asthma and bronchitis, Linda Reynolds wanted at least a little fresh air. She was taking her chances.

"I don't have all my windows closed. The reason I don't have them closed is because it's hot outside, and it's bad enough that I go nuts when it's closed," said Reynolds.

The DEC had a different concern. It sent an environmental contractor to the neighborhood to monitor the runoff from all the water and foam being dumped on the blaze. They could be seen laying out huge absorbent sheets on the pavement, trying to sop up all the oil, grease, and other solvents that were washed out of the building.

Some residents questioned why they weren't told to evacuate, when propane tanks and other materials in the building began exploding.

One resident said, "Some of those eruptions looked like volcanoes. It was bad. This is the worst I've seen, and I'm... of age (laughs)."