Chlorine Plant Fire In New Jersey Finally Put Out, Pulaski Skyway Reopened
KEARNY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A fire at a chlorine plant in Kearny has finally been put out after burning most of the night.
Fire broke out at Alden Leeds chlorine plant around 10 p.m. Friday night.
The site is located under the Pulaski Skyway, which remained closed in both directions Saturday morning. According to the New Jersey's Department of Transportation, the skyway and Routes 1 and 9 were all reopened before 6 p.m. Saturday evening.
UPDATE: ALL ROADS REOPENED following building fire in Kearny:
— NJDOT (@NewJerseyDOT) May 18, 2019
Pulaski Skyway;
Rt 1&9 local & express north at Delaney;
Rt 1&9 Truck both directions from TPK to Rt 440;
Rt 139 lower west
Rt 440 north ramp to Rt 1&9T south.
Rt 1&9T ramp from TPK
Hazmat crews responded to the scene and neighboring fire departments assisted.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fortunately due to SE winds, smoke and fumes from last night's in Kearny never made there way to Hoboken. It has been deemed safe to reopen your windows and the air does not pose any sort of health risk. **All city actives remain on schedule.**https://t.co/s9ez4hsMx8
— City of Hoboken (@CityofHoboken) May 18, 2019
Nearby residents were told to close their windows because of the possibly dangerous smoke and fumes. That warning has since been lifted.
Fire Update (645am) OEM has just spoke to DEP, they advise air quality levels are well within acceptable levels for our area. There is currently no alert for our city.
— Bayonne OEM (@Bayonne_OEM) May 18, 2019
The Bayonne Office of Emergency Management said air quality in the area is "well within acceptable levels."
Due to emergency personnel operating at a two alarm fire in Kearney, New Jersey, residents in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island may see or smell smoke. Multilingual & ASL Link: https://t.co/fCMmaLTzmK.
— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) May 18, 2019
At the peak of the blaze, officials in New York City cautioned residents they may see or smell smoke.