Clean-Up Completed at Calumet Fire Site

More than a year after a fire destroyed three buildings in Calumet’s historic downtown, environmental clean-up of the site has been completed.

The blaze broke out on the evening of May 21, 2021. It leveled three buildings in the 100 block of Fifth Street, and left around 30 apartment-dwellers homeless. No one was injured.

Because of significant amounts of asbestos, the Environmental Protection Agency assumed oversight of the cleanup. 

Yesterday, EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore said contractors had removed more than 1,800 tons of debris and 135 tons of contaminated soil. The basements have been backfilled, and the property is ready for redevelopment.