NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) — A massive fire in New Jersey that caused the air quality around New York City to deteriorate this week was extinguished Wednesday morning, after burning for a day and a half.
According to Newark Public Safety officials, the inferno broke out at the Port Newark Recycling Plant, on Calcutta Street, around 7:50 p.m. Monday.
The fire, which involved a pile of metal in a scrap yard, continued to rage throughout the night into Tuesday, when firefighters said they would utilize Essex County’s Neptune System to pull water from the river. The system has the ability to pump 10,000 gallons of water per minute.
The blaze persisted for several more hours, until finally being brought under control around 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, New Jersey public officials said.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, but the massive blaze did cause New York City’s air quality to deteriorate into unhealthy levels on Tuesday.
The city’s Office of Emergency Management even issued a warning telling residents to avoid strenuous activity outdoors to avoid exposure to the smoke-filled air.
“This fire posed some unique challenges for the Newark Fire Division in that it was deep-seated inside a 60-ft. pile of scrap metal, where firehoses are not effective,” said Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara. “I commend Newark’s bravest for working around the clock to ensure that this fire was appropriately extinguished.”
The Newark Department of Public Safety has been in communication with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, which has confirmed the air quality in the area has returned to healthy levels.
The cause and origin of this fire is under investigation by the Newark Department of Public Safety’s Arson Unit.
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