Tavern Remains Receives Approval to be Cleared

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently halted clean-up of the Railsyde Tavern in Keyser which burned to the ground in fall 2008. The DEP was concerned with the presence of asbestos in the burned structure which could pose a hazard to nearby residents.

The fire, determined to be caused by arson, lead the local fire department to classify the structure as unsafe. The remnants were knocked down and consolidated but before any further clean-up could occur, the DEP stepped in stating the need for asbestos testing. If the material was found in the remains, the DEP would have had to perform a strict and costly clean-up. The tavern owners worried that if asbestos abatement procedures were needed, the cost could be tens of thousands of dollars, potentially more than the property is worth.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was popularly used in buildings and structures for its high heat resistance and insulation qualities. In the 1970s it was publically announced that asbestos was hazardous to people’s health, and exposure can cause deadly illnesses such as asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma. Symptoms typically take twenty to fifty years to appear and by that time, it can be too late for effective treatment.

Town members worried that the burned tavern remains would become part of the landscape. However, residents recently learned that the owners had applied for a permit and since the site was given a clean bill of health by the City Administrator, the cleanup will resume.