Fire At Chemical Plant In Kearny Put Nearby Towns On Alert: VIDEO

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ -- A fire at Alden Leeds chlorine plant in Kearny under the Pulaski Skyway on Friday night caused smoke and odors to waft over the area. Multiple news reports stated the fire was under control Saturday morning, although the Pulaski Skyway remained closed to traffic.

On Friday, several nearby towns issued precautionary statements about the blaze, advising residents to stay inside and shut their windows. Some public safety officials still had lingering concerns about air quality near the plant on Saturday, which manufactures chlorine tablets used in swimming pools, ABC 7 reported.

After the fire broke out Friday, Kearny officials told residents to stay indoors with their windows closed. "Inhaling the smoke can cause severe respiratory distress," the Kearny Fire Department stated.

Newark public safety officials said that the fire may have sent fumes towards the city, and urged people in impacted areas to keep windows and doors shut and stay inside.

However, around 10 a.m. on Saturday, Kearny police said it was safe for residents to open their windows or go outside. “In Kearny, there’s no air quality issue,” a police lieutenant told NJ.com. “We have a hazmat unit out testing the air.”

Other government officials also issued updates about air quality on Saturday morning.

Gov. Phil Murphy wrote that he was "grateful to first responders" at the scene.

"No injuries to report and some roads remain closed," Murphy stated. "‪Smoke and odors have minimized, but we’ll continue to monitor air quality.‬"

"Air samples specific to the Greenville, Society Hill and Lincoln Park areas have now been deemed safe," officials in Jersey City stated. "The JCFD will continue testing as we await information from the state level.‬"

At 6:45 a.m., the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management said that they spoke to the state DEP, who advised that "air quality levels are well within acceptable levels" for the area.

"There is currently no alert for our city," Bayonne officials said.

At 9:15 a.m., the Bayonne OEM issued an update: "COEM, HCRHC, and NJDEP all advise that air quality is good. There is NO advisory in Bayonne. Crews will continue to operate and monitor."

Hoboken officials said that due to southeast winds, smoke and fumes from the chemical plant fire never made their way to the city.

"It has been deemed safe to reopen your windows and the air does not pose any sort of health risk," Hoboken officials said Saturday.

Local videographer Jeff Stang posted the below video taken at the scene.

Send news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com