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Posted on Thu, Jun. 10, 2004 
Miramar firefighters chased
out of station by mold
Associated Press
MIRAMAR, Fla.
- Fuzzy black mold has chased a group of firefighters out of
their station and into a temporary trailer nearby, fire officials said.
The spores thrive on ceiling tiles and in shower stalls and air ducts
at Miramar's Station 70, flaring up every time the air conditioning goes
out.
"We've been working on this for three years," said Miramar
Fire-Rescue Chief Jim Hunt. "It comes back every time we clean it."
City officials have given up, and the 21 firefighters and officers
who work, eat, sleep and shower at the station in shifts will move into
a pink trailer next week, leaving their trucks at the station.
Firefighters at the city's second busiest station have been afflicted
by puffy eyes, sinus problems, coughs and flu-like symptoms, which they
attribute to the building.
At the firehouse, built in the 1970s, a 4-foot space between the
ceiling and second floor captures heat and moisture, fostering mold when
the air conditioning falters. At least three stringent cleanings have
not stopped the problem.
Officials hope to build a $3 million station, 500 yards from the
current building, within 18 months.
Information from: The Miami Herald,
http://www.herald.com |
