This representation from video provided by Mikey B shows a occurrence adjacent a New Jersey chemic plant, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 successful Passaic, N.J. A occurrence astatine a New Jersey chemic works with flames and fume disposable for miles successful the nighttime entity Friday has dispersed to aggregate buildings, threatening to scope the plant's chemic retention area, authorities said.(Mikey B via AP)
PASSAIC, N.J. – A ample chemic occurrence burned done the nighttime and into Saturday greeting successful bluish New Jersey, its fume truthful dense that it was detected connected upwind radar and seen and smelled successful neighboring New York City.
The occurrence astatine Majestic Industries and the Qualco chemic works successful Passaic dispersed to aggregate buildings and threatened their collapse, officials said.
Water from firefighter hoses froze successful acold upwind and made the situation slick and hazardous for responders.
“There person been atrocious fires, but this is the worst that I’ve ever seen,” Passaic Mayor Hector Lora told NorthJersey.com.
Security defender Justin Johnson told WCBS-TV helium was moving alone, checking h2o pressure, erstwhile helium noticed fume coming from a smokestack-like tower. He wasn't definite what to marque of it but called the occurrence section arsenic alarms went off.
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The occurrence was successful buildings lodging plastics, pallets and chlorine, officials said, but Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost said the portion wherever astir of the chlorine was stored appeared to nether control.
Residents adjacent the blaze were advised to adjacent their windows but were not required to evacuate, with officials saying aerial prime remained acceptable and would proceed to beryllium monitored.
Some residents fled nonetheless.
“It’s worrying. You don’t cognize what’s going to happen,” Joel Heredia told WBCS-TV.
One firefighter was taken to a infirmary aft being struck by debris, officials said. He was doing well, though different firefighters slipped and fell successful the slick conditions, officials said.
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