Fire Tears Through Scrap Metal Facility In South Jersey

CAMDEN, NJ — A fire broke out on Friday at the EMR Advanced Recycling (EMR) scrap metal recycling plant, according to county officials.

"This morning, we awoke to a call that has come way too often for the residents of our community- another fire at the EMR scrap facility," a joint statement read.

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According to NBC, the second-alarm fire was reported at 1500 South 6th Ave. at around 2:30 a.m. and left residents smelling burning plastic.

No injuries were reported.

The fire has been contained, but city officials encouraged residents to remain indoors due to "airborne particulates/smoke" while firefighters still work on scene.

After a string of fires over several years, a group of leaders, which includes Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and other city and state officials, called for the facility to be closed on Friday.

"Today, we are calling for EMR to be shut down by the Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Camden County Health Department, and every other governmental regulatory agency with any jurisdiction over EMR's facility in the City of Camden."

Earlier this month, the facility rolled out a new fire suppression system meant to combat risk at the plant.

This followed a bill that cleared the State General Assembly in March that would establish safety measures for scrap metal operations and involve enhanced oversight after ongoing issues at the EMR facility.

Just days later, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and DEP amended a lawsuit from January against EMR.

The State said they acted "to hold EMR accountable for several additional fires that have occurred in recent weeks," and at least 12 over the last five years, including a Camden fire in February 2025 that forced 100 residents out of their homes while the flames were brought under control. Read More: NJ Attacks Camden County Recycling Business Again For Allegedly Causing Fires

Patch has reached out to EMR regarding the call to shut the facility down and Friday's fire, and is yet to hear back.

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