CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The company that owns a scrap yard that went up in flames back on Feb. 21 in Camden will pay the city $6.7 million as part of a settlement after the massive fire.
As part of the settlement, Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen said EMR Metal Recycling is being held accountable for the fire that forced more than 100 residents to seek shelter elsewhere.
“Everyone is pushing in the right direction. Everyone is. And residents: continue holding me accountable, holding us accountable on how we move forward,” said Carstarphen. “We will be here. I will be here.”
Of the $6.7-million coming to the city, $4.5-million is coming this year and then $450,000 annually for the next five years. Some of the money will go toward upgrades for the scrap yard’s fire suppression system, and other funding will go to the community.
An investigation after the fire found that lithium-ion batteries were the cause of the blaze and why it burned so hot and for such a long time. As part of the settlement, EMR promised to put new protections in place so a fire like it never happens again.
However, residents remain unhappy with the whole situation, and neighbors like Jordan Mead said they’ve been going to city leaders about EMR for years.
“Maybe this is a step in the right direction. What is frustrating is that they stood up there and thanked each other for all of that. They’re doing this because we’ve been mad and yelling at them and making them look bad,” he said.
Carstarphen said the settlement is just the beginning and more will be announced in the coming weeks about how the community can provide input on how funds should be spent.