A fire last week at Farmer’s Furniture in Salisaw, Oklahoma has many locals wondering if asbestos may have become airborne during the blaze.

Farmer’s Furniture was located in a historic 110-year old building. The blaze started Tuesday afternoon, and firefighters continued to fight the inferno through Wednesday.

The fire quickly grew into an out-ofcontrol blaze, filling the air with toxic smoke that some believe contained asbestos particles. Among those concerned about the potential for an asbestos release is Salisaw Fire Chief Anthony Armstrong.

Reports have yet to state when or if air quality testing will be conducted to see if asbestos was released.

Police officers worked in tandem with the fire department to cordon off a four block region of downtown to protect residents from the blaze and any toxic effects from the smoke.

The blaze was so intense that firefighters from two neighboring towns were also called in to battle the flames.

Firefighters currently believe the cause of the fire was electrical, although the cause has yet to be officially declared.

Airborne asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lungs if inhaled. These deadly particles can then hasten the development of such deadly diseases as asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos was once commonly used in building materials such as fireproofing, insulation, tiles, and even some cements and paints. The deadly substance, once prized for resistance to heat and chemical damage, is now known to be a deadly killer.

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