Fire reached at least 11 alarms as of late Friday.
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Crews battle major fire at chemical plant, section of N.J. highway closed
Passaic Fire
Fire at a chemical plant in Passaic. (Courtesy Twitter user @RichardCalle_ )
Firefighters were battling a major blaze at a chemical plant Friday night in Passaic, near Route 21, according to city Mayor Hector Lora.
The mayor, who was at the scene near Passaic Street and Columbia Avenue, asked residents to keep their windows closed and avoid the area.
“The fire continues to rage,” Lora said shortly after 9 p.m. “It is an extremely difficult and challenging fire.”
“There are presently multiple buildings involved. It is at a chemical plant,” the mayor said.
Lora said firefighters from several communities were called to help.
“As of right now, the fire has not impacted directly the chemicals,” Lora said. The building housed chlorine, he said.
Multiple videos shared on social media showed a building engulfed in flames. Lora later said in a video on Facebook that he was at City Hall preparing for possible evacuations. New York City residents may see and smell smoke from the fire, according to an alert from the city’s emergency management department.
Gov. Phil Murphy also asked nearby residents to keep their windows closed as the fire continued to burn around 10:30 p.m.
“We urge everyone in Passaic to stay safe as firefighters battle a large eight-alarm fire at a chemical plant off of Route 21. If you live nearby, keep your windows closed. Praying for the safety of our first responders on the scene,” the governor said on Twitter.
Route 21 South was closed as of shortly before 9 p.m. because of the fire, according to the state Department of Transportation website. More details were not immediately available.
Last year, Passaic and surrounding firefighters battled a massive 11-alarm fire at a recycling plant in the city.