Toxic Runoff Feared Amid San Bruno Devastation
SAN BRUNO (KCBS) - Cleanup crews hope to turn the neighborhood destroyed by fire when a natural gas line exploded into a clean, clear mound of land before the rain arrives, county officials said Friday.
"Eventually the lots will be completely clean and ready for people to build a house and eventually a home," said Dean Peterson, director of San Mateo County's Environmental Health Division.
KCBS Mark Seelig Reporting:
The smell of burned debris permeates the area around Crestview Drive and Claremont Drive where since Thursday heavy equipment has been steadily hauling away debris from the massive fire that claimed seven lives.
Incinerated cars sitting on rims line what used to be streets and driveways where reporters were allowed on Friday to survey the damage since the Sept. 9 disaster.
Brick walkways have been reduced to ash and placards posted on each property tick off facts such as whether or not asbestos has been found.
Peterson has set an unofficial deadline of Oct. 15 to remove the debris, hoping to beat winter rains that could send toxic runoff pouring into the San Francisco Bay.
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