Fire erupts near chemical plant; residents told to stay away

This picture from video offered by Mikey B reveals a fireplace close to a New Jersey chemical plant, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 in Passaic, N.J. A fireplace at a New Jersey chemical plant with flames and smoke seen for miles within the night time sky Friday has unfold to a number of buildings, threatening to succeed in the plant's chemical storage space, authorities stated.

• 
• 
• 

PASSAIC, N.J. (AP) — A fireplace close to a New Jersey chemical plant with flames and smoke seen for miles within the night time sky unfold to a number of buildings within the complicated Friday, threatening to succeed in the plant’s chemical storage space, authorities stated.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora informed residents in a video posted on Fb to keep away from the realm and preserve their home windows closed.

Lora stated firefighters have been nonetheless assessing the state of affairs. There have been no preliminary experiences of lack of life, he stated.

Passaic Fireplace Chief Patrick Trentacost stated the constructing was vacant when the hearth broke out.

“A portion of the constructing did have chlorine in it and that appears to be beneath management at the moment,” he stated simply after midnight. “We’ll be monitoring that additionally all through the night time however actually we’re removed from having management of the hearth.”

The fireplace chief additionally stated a lot of the constructing the place the hearth originated has collapsed inside itself. Water from the close by river was getting used to complement the availability for firefighters.

One firefighter was taken to a hospital after getting hit within the face with particles, however was doing effectively, Trentacost stated. Many different firefighters had slipped and fell whereas battling the flames as water used to tamp down the hearth turned to ice. The chief estimated temperatures have been within the teenagers.

New York Metropolis Emergency Administration despatched a notification Friday night time saying residents may see or odor smoke from the hearth.

The Qualco Inc. plant is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) west of Manhattan. It produces chemical compounds used to deal with swimming pools and spas, in line with its web site. It's subsequent to Majestic Industries, a designer and producer of gaming and hospitality furnishings, Lora stated.

It was unclear how the hearth began.

The Division of Environmental Safety was on scene assessing air high quality, Lora stated. As of three:30 a.m., the air high quality ranges have been deemed acceptable, and evacuations weren't wanted, he stated.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted concerning the hearth, echoing requires individuals who dwell close to it to maintain their home windows closed.

“We urge everybody in Passaic to remain protected as firefighters battle a big eight-alarm hearth at a chemical plant off of Route 21,” Murphy wrote. “Praying for the security of our first responders on the scene.”