THIS REFERRAL IS FOR LITIGATION TO RECOVER APPROXIMATELY $453,740 SPENT BY EPA FOR A CLASSIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTION AND SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL CLEANUP RESULTING FROM A FIRE AT THE BUILDER'S HARDWARE FINISHERS, INC. (BHFI) ELECTROPLATING FACILITY IN LOS ANGELES. BHFI HAS OPERATED AS A METAL FINISHING AND PLATING SHOP SINCE 1978. THE FACILITY'S MAIN OPERATION WAS ELECTROPLA- TING OF METAL HARDWARE PARTS, USING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES INCLUDING INORGANIC ACIDS AND BASES, CYANIDE SALTS, DEGREASING SOLVENTS AND OXIDIZING MATERIALS. ON MAY 23, 1988, A FIRE DESTROYED THE BHFI FACILITY, RESULTING IN RELEASES OF CYANIDES AND OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND WASTES. EPA ASSUMED THE ROLE OF LEAD AGENCY AND TOOK RESPONSE ACTION FROM THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 23 THROUGH JULY 14, 1988 TO MITIGATE THE IMMEDIATE THREAT AND TO CLEAN UP THE SITE. EPA PROVIDED THE PRPS VERBAL NOTICE OF THEIR POTENTIAL CERCLA LIABILITY ON MAY 23-24. BOTH THE OWNER AND OPERATOR DECLINED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CLEANUP. WRITTEN NOTICE LETTERS WERE SENT TO THE PRPS ON JUNE 1, 1988. ON AUGUST 25, 1989, EPA SENT LETTERS TO THE PRPS DEMANDING PAYMENT OF RESPONSE COSTS INCURRED BY EPA THROUGH JULY 1, 1989. IN ADDITION, AN ESTIMATED $10,000 - $50,000 OF FUTURE WORK REMAINS TO BE COMPLETED ON SITE. EPA HAS NOT SCHEDULED THIS REMAINING WORK AT THE R