Monday, March 9, 2015

4 INJURED IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE EXPLOSION AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE






MARCH 9, 2015

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNEWYORK)

Four people were injured — one of whom was missing for hours — after a fire broke out late Monday afternoon at a warehouse reportedly used by a chemical tank container company in Newark.




This is what the webpages of this company state regarding the Newark Terminal:

The Boasso Newark Terminal offers empty & loaded handling, cleaning, heating, pressure & statutory testing, modification, empty & loaded storage, and even full refurbishment of 20′ ISO Tank Containers. All work is performed by trained mechanics, employing the latest techniques and instruments so even the most rigid quality standards are met. For additional information, please contact Kristian Backhouse.

The Newark Terminal also offers local and long haul trucking of 20′ ISO Tank Containers within the 48 contiguous states. With the goal of satisfying the specific requirements of each customer and plant, our professional drivers and dispatchers operate in tandem round the clock. 


As Joe Biermann reported from Chopper 2, the fire broke out at 5:14 p.m. after an explosion at the warehouse at the Boasso America Company, at 80 Doremus Ave. in Newark, near Exit 15E on the New Jersey Turnpike. The blaze was raised to a second alarm.

A whole side of the two- or three-story industrial building collapsed as a result of the explosion, WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond reported. Flames were shooting from the roof and black smoke was pouring into the air.

Four people were injured in the fire, officials told CBS2. Three of the injured people were taken University Hospital in Newark, and the third was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, officials said.





Their conditions were not immediately learned.

One of the injured people taken to University Hospital was missing until finally being found inside at 8:40 p.m., officials said.

The building housed a chemical company, and reportedly housed numerous chemicals as well as propane.  Several tanks were also being stored in the area around the building.

Fire crews were told to stand back from the immediate area, but officials said chemicals were not burning.

The first fire truck at the scene mounted the tower ladder raised to keep the firefighters at a safe distance.

The building sustained a partial roof collapse and severe damage.
The cause of the fire was not immediately learned. By 7:20 p.m., the fire was largely knocked down, but was not under control.

Public Service Electric & Gas was also on the scene.

By 11 pm, the fire is mostly extinguished. The fire department and the Department of Environmental Protection are on the scene identifying the chemicals involved.

We would not be surprised if the fire and explosion was caused by the welding of containers that were not properly cleaned or when flammable gases were ignited by a sparking or heat source.