Homeowners are slowly starting to learn that homes containing asbestos should not be renovated without asbestos removal experts to contain or remove the problem material.

Asbestos is a natural mineral, but it’s one that’s a carcinogen and can lead to asbestos-related diseases and cancer. It can cause scarring of the lung tissue, malignant tumours, cancer of the lungs, intestines, larynx, and ovaries, not to mention breathing difficulties and long-term health consequences.

So, a home with exposed or damaged asbestos can be enough of a risk to its occupants, but what happens when it’s on fire? There’s a genuine exposure risk to both firefighters and those in the general area.

There are a few cases, even in recent years, where firefighters had to deal with potentially dangerous fires where asbestos was concerned. How did they manage it? What precautions did they take? Read on to find out.

Commercial fire with asbestos risk

In Glendene, West Auckland, a fire broke out in the roof of an indoor sports arena. While a fire in any large building is a cause for concern, it’s even more so when it’s known that the building contains asbestos.

Asbestos was discovered burning in the building’s roof, and a thick plume of smoke was emanating from it. Firefighters tackled the fire as they usually would, and 12 crew with 60 firefighters worked tirelessly to put it out. Breathing apparatus, a canteen, and a command station were brought to the scene to be of assistance.

Once the fire was out, the firefighters’ training was put to good use on how to deal with asbestos in a fire. They underwent a decontamination process, and the roof was kept wet to stop the asbestos from flowing away. The pollution control team from the Auckland Council also attended to ensure that, aside from asbestos, there were no other hazards with which to contend.

An environmental health team then visited to make sure that asbestos had not left the scene – potentially putting people in the general area at risk.

The fire would see the need for renovations or a rebuild of the sports arena, but how would experts handle the scene, knowing that it was dangerous in more than one way?

An investigation would take place that would see the need for an expert asbestos removal team in Auckland to remove it from the remaining parts of the building in the safest way possible.

Residential fire with asbestos risk

Commercial buildings are a cause for concern when it comes to asbestos exposure, but firefighters have to contend with residential fires with the same risks, too. For example, in early January 2020, a fire involving an asbestos-clad house was reported to the fire brigade in Hawera.

The property was well ablaze by the time firefighters arrived, which meant time was limited to ensure asbestos exposure was kept to a minimum. Due to the toxic smoke, the firefighters wore breathing apparatus, and that smoke was being blown around by the strong winds in the area.

Post-house-fire, asbestos removal experts would have to go in to safely remove asbestos to ensure the property was safe for re-entry, renovation, or rebuild.

Natural disasters and asbestos

As it turns out, firefighters face a genuine risk of asbestos exposure in situations other than fire, as well. In November 2019, firefighters were called to an auto shop in Christchurch after a tornado ripped its asbestos-containing roof off.

Contaminated debris was thrown into the air from DJ Auto Importers, and all over Wordsworth Street in Sydenham. While firefighters, at that point, weren’t able to stop the asbestos from getting to the general public, they were able to protect themselves while they tried to manage the situation. As the roof dried and crumbled on the street, the firefighters wore masks and warned people not to pick up or go near debris.

However, in this instance, a medical officer said asbestos exposure risk was minimal, even though asbestos was released into the air. The ministry website determines that “single, low-level exposure was extremely low”.

What to do about asbestos exposure

Firefighters wear breathing apparatus to protect them during fires of buildings that contain asbestos. However, once the fire is out, asbestos removal experts must step in. While contained asbestos is fine to have in a building, exposed or damaged asbestos is not. When a fire rips through a structure, it is then exposed and damaged.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are near a burning building that contains asbestos, then think fast. Remove yourself from the area, wear breathing apparatus, and undergo a decontamination process to ensure you don’t take any asbestos fibres home with you. Leave the rest to the experts.