Prospective buyers gather to inspect FEMA trailers

OZARK, Mo. (AP) -- Hundreds of people spent part of their weekend milling around a former Ozark auto dealership checking out 183 FEMA trailers going on the auction block.

The trailers were being sold by Easterly Auction Co. on behalf of a company in Georgia called Reliant Remarketing. Owner Mike Easterly insists the trailers are no longer FEMA trailers and the agency doesn't want them advertised as such.

Some potential buyers say they are concerned about harmful levels of chemicals such as formaldehyde, which FEMA pointed out in 2008 were higher than the allowed limit.

Buyers are told they can use the trailers for camping and short stays, but should not be used for housing.

Easterly expected the trailers would fetch between $2,500 and $10,000 apiece.