Avoid Possible Hazardous Material At Chestnut Lodge Site — And Around Town

Some Rockville citizens have pointed out a new aspect of the Chestnut Lodge fire that has not yet come to the fore. The fire may have spread contaminants into the air and surrounding areas.

Specifically, some are worried about lead paint and asbestos. Chestnut Lodge was built before those substances were banned.

It appears that if asbestos were used in construction of Chestnut Lodge it would have vaporized into the air. However, some say there is a possibility that the many paint chips that fell from the air in the hours after the fire were lead-based. Lead, as a heavy metal, could easily leach into the surrounding ground.

Our understanding is that the City has been in touch with state environmental officials about the issue and have received preliminary information and are formulating a response.

At least one West End resident has been collecting paint chips and charred pieces of wood that could be used for testing. But Lincoln Park residents also spoke of dust on their cars after the fire so a broader examination may be a good idea.

For citizens, the best current advice is to stay away from the Chestnut Lodge site (treat it as a hazardous area). Here is a good information sheet from New York State on lead paint. Residents may also consider avoiding using lawnmowers and leaf blowers so as not to further stir up possible lead dust. Parents of nearby Beall Elementary School children should keep their children away from the site.

Just to be clear: We do not know that lead-based paint was spread around, but according to some — it is a possibility.

We understand that the City should be issuing a press release or other communication on this in the near future.

If readers have advice, please add it in the comments so others can have your good counsel.

More Chestnut Lodge Fire Coverage

The early-Sunday fire at the historic landmark Chestnut Lodge is one of the largest stories to hit Rockville in some time, and a number of news organizations have been covering it. (Cindy Cotte Griffiths filed a report that was among the first accounts here.)

Of the coverage, our friends at the Gazette have had notably good pieces like this one.

And, the City itself has an excellent video recap that’s available here.

The building had no electricity running to it and officials have said the cause of the fire was likely human. They asked the public to call the county’s arson tip line at 240-777-2263 with any information about the fire. If you saw or heard anything in the wee hours Sunday, please make the call!

Stay tuned and we will continue to update this story.

Chestnut Lodge Burns and Collapses

According to local news outlets, a barking dog alerted a neighbor to the blaze at the Chestnut Lodge around 3 AM. Firefighters arrived on the scene but only the shell of this 19th century gem remains. No one was injured.

Around 9:45 this morning, onlookers told me the owner was at the site and he was concerned people would think the fire was deliberately set. Also, he said the building did not have electricity.

Originally built as the Woodlawn Hotel in the 1800’s, the building was used as a psychiatric hospital for 75 years before closing in 2001 due to financial difficulty. In May 2004, the Mayor and Council adopted guidelines for the development of the property which would preserve the historical and architectural features. Morton H. Levine’s plan to build 36 Victorian-style homes on the property and convert the hotel into seven luxury condominiums was approved in 2006. Although some homes have been built, renovations to the building had not started.