Richland Creek, which runs underneath the rear portion of the burned Bernard No. 2 Warehouse, is now clear of the debris from the fire that destroyed the warehouse on July 31.

Officials with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's division of Water Pollution Control were in Greeneville on Monday afternoon to assess the creek's condition.

The representatives from TDEC's Johnson City field office did not find any debris from the warehouse, according to Tisha Calabrese-Benton, TDEC spokesman.

The creek had been cleaned of the clutter of brick, metal, charred wood and other materials from the burned warehouse, according to Bobby Payne, warehouse manager for Bewley Properties.

The 54,000-square-foot warehouse is owned by Kent Bewley, president and CEO of Bewley Properties, and was being renovated into a museum.

Payne said federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had control of the building until about 5 p.m. Friday afternoon.

At that time, Payne had four employees of Bewley Properties began work to clear the debris from the creek, he said.

The workers cleared debris from the area of the warehouse and downstream to the Hayes Hull building on McKee Street.

Work at the Hayes Hull building was completed Monday, Payne said.

He said "every effort" will be made to keep the creek clear of debris during the cleanup of the burned warehouse.

Calabrese-Benton said an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit (ARAP) will be granted by TDEC so the creek can be accessed during the cleanup.