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EPA Monitoring Continues Near Site of Critical Mineral Recovery Plant Fire Outside of Fredericktown, MO

EPA Region 7 continues to assist the Fredericktown Fire Department and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) on-scene in Fredericktown, Missouri responding to the Critical Mineral Recovery fire that occurred on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
EPA Region 7 continues to assist the Fredericktown Fire Department and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) on-scene in Fredericktown, Missouri responding to the Critical Mineral Recovery fire that occurred on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Updated 5:45 PM (November 4, 2024)

A fire at the Critical Mineral Recovery battery recycling plant near Fredericktown, Missouri, on October 30, has led to an evacuation order for nearby residents. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is assisting local authorities, including the Fredericktown Fire Department and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources with air monitoring and sampling.

The EPA's Region 7 team is on-site conducting air monitoring for harmful chemical compounds. Their data is being reported to local officials to help determine school operations.

The EPA is using specialized equipment, such as:

  • AreaRaes for fixed monitoring
  • MultiRaes for mobile monitoring
  • DustTraks to measure particulate levels
  • SPM Flex gas detectors for hydrogen fluoride

Monitoring has detected low levels of hydrogen fluoride, but it is at a low enough level that it is not considered to be a significant risk.

MoDNR is collecting water samples from nearby bodies of water, including the Little St. Francis River. The EPA believes Fredericktown's drinking water is not at risk, but further testing will continue.

A fishkill (sudden and unexpected death of many fish or other aquatic animals in a specific area) has been reported downstream from the fire site, and investigations are underway by MoDNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The EPA will continue to provide updates. For more information, residents can visit EPA's response page.

Original story published Oct. 31, 2024

A fire that broke out at Critical Mineral Recovery, a battery processing plant just outside of Fredericktown, Missouri, Wednesday afternoon, October 30th prompted a massive emergency firefighting effort and evacuation for local residents.

From an aerial view, a large fire can be seen at the Critical Mineral Recovery battery processing plant outside of Fredericktown, in Madison County Missouri, off Highway OO.
Madison County 911
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Madison County 911 Facebook
From an aerial view, a large fire can be seen at the Critical Mineral Recovery battery processing plant outside of Fredericktown, in Madison County Missouri, off Highway OO.

The evacuation was in Madison County, near Highway OO, north and northwest of Village Creek Road, and residents on Madison County Road 277, were asked to evacuate immediately on Wed. Oct. 30. The city of Fredericktown was not affected by the order.

The screenshot from the original Facebook post on Madison County 911 and Fredericktown Fire Department noted the predicted path of fire smoke on the afternoon of Oct. 30th, 2024.
Madison County 911 Facebook
The screenshot from the original Facebook post on Madison County 911 and Fredericktown Fire Department noted the predicted path of fire smoke on the afternoon of Oct. 30th, 2024.

Kyle Rogers, the 911 Director for Madison County, talked about the efforts at the plant and in the area.

"So, the call came in at 1:37 pm yesterday [Oct. 30, 2024], by a radio call from a local fireman who worked at the facility, pretty much telling me that they contacted Cherokee Pass Fire and Fredericktown Fire, that Critical Minerals was on fire", said Rogers, recounting the initial response.

By Thurs. Oct. 31, Rogers said some residents were allowed to return, but he urged caution.

"There's no mandatory evacuation. People who live in the general vicinity of the plant are being told that they can go back to their homes. However, they strongly recommend them to stay away", said Rogers.

During the initial emergency and firefighting response, multiple agencies were part of the effort, including Madison County, 911, Fredericktown Fire Department, Cherokee Pass Fire Protection District, Madison County Ambulance District, Fredericktown Police Department, Madison County Sheriff's Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

"From my understanding, the fire is contained inside the building. However, [there are] hot spots that they're trying to get put out", stated Rogers, giving an update on the firefighting efforts.

According to the Critical Mineral Recovery website, the global battery processing plant is a 255-square-foot facility, with headquarters in St Louis, MO.

John is a proud 2006 Alum of Southeast Missouri State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication – Radio option, with a minor in Management. He has been a life-long listener of KRCU Public Radio, but began his radio career as a student DJ on Rage 103.7 KDMC-LP in 2003.
Alex Barton joined the staff of KRCU Public Radio in July 2024. Alex, from St. Louis, Missouri, is pursuing a degree in Multimedia Journalism with a minor in Integrated Marketing Communications at Southeast Missouri State University. He has written stories for the Southeast Arrow and worked on various freelance voice-acting projects.