The Latest: Most of New Jersey warehouse fire under control
Jul 22, 2015, 9:36 AM
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — The latest on the large warehouse fire in North Brunswick, New Jersey (all times local):
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12:25 p.m.
The fire chief says most of the New Jersey warehouse fire is under control.
North Brunswick Fire Chief Donald Salzman says firefighters are concentrating their efforts on flames in the part of the building that houses a plastics business.
It is because of burning plastics that the Environmental Protection Agency is monitoring the air quality. An EPA official says while there are concerns about toxins, current readings have not revealed any health threats.
About 75 people remain in a shelter as a precaution.
There are 44 fire engines, 10 ladder trucks and 35 tankers on the scene. The tankers are running a water shuttle from a nearby lake.
Officials must wait for the fire to be extinguished before they can begin their investigation into the cause.
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9 a.m.
Firefighters are letting a large warehouse fire in North Brunswick, New Jersey, burn itself out.
The fire broke out early Wednesday in the rear of the complex that is used by several businesses. The cause remains unknown.
Fire Chief Donald Salzmann says the fire burned from one end of the building to the other, consuming such things as plastics, cars and carpeting.
Salzmann says it could continue to burn into the evening.
Residents of a nearby apartment building were evacuated after heat from the blaze set the siding on fire. Others were moved as a precaution.
Mayor Francis Womack III says officials are monitoring the air quality and have not detected any dangerous levels of toxins.
A firefighter was treated at the scene for a hand injury.
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8:30 a.m.
Smoke from a large warehouse fire in North Brunswick, New Jersey, is visible from space.
A weather satellite image shows the smoke blowing far out to sea.
The fire broke out early Wednesday at the warehouse on Livingston Avenue that is part of an auto dealer’s complex.
Firefighters have had difficulty controlling the flames. They’ve called in water tankers from several counties.
Authorities have evacuated part of the nearby Hearthwood apartment complex as a precaution, and those residents can use an elementary school as a shelter.
The blaze has forced the closure of a ramp leading from Route 1 North.
There is no word on any injuries.
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7:10 a.m.
Firefighters are having a rough time getting the upper hand on a large warehouse fire in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
The fire broke out early Wednesday at the warehouse on Livingston Avenue that is part of an auto dealer’s complex.
Smoke continues to billow from the blaze.
Authorities have evacuated part of a nearby apartment complex as a precaution.
The ramp leading to Livingston Avenue from Route 1 North is closed.
There is no word on any injuries.
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5:50 a.m.
Firefighters are on the scene of a large warehouse fire that has turned night into day and can be seen for miles.
The warehouse is located on Livingston Avenue and is part of an auto dealer’s complex.
Authorities have evacuated part of a nearby apartment complex as a precaution.
The ramp leading to Livingston Avenue from Route 1 North is closed.
There is no word on any injuries.
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