ROSELAND, La. (WAFB) - Federal officials have taken command of the response at the Smitty’s Supply Inc. fire in Roseland, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA is now the lead agency on scene, stepping in at the request of the State of Louisiana. Until now, response efforts were being coordinated by Smitty’s Supply.

Officials say EPA contractors will work to contain any remaining hazardous materials at the site and recover unburned material from ditches, ponds, and the Tangipahoa River. The material will be sent to an EPA-approved facility for disposal.

Within hours of being notified, the EPA deployed an on-scene coordinator and technical assistance staff to the Roseland command post to begin community air monitoring and oversight of the facility’s efforts

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