Parsippany Firefighters Provide Cover During 11-Alarm Chemical Plant Fire In Passaic

PARSIPPANY, NJ — As firefighters worked to contain an 11-alarm fire at a Passaic chemical plant, Parsippany agencies stepped up to help.

Crews battled the fire from Friday night to Saturday afternoon. Officials requested help from the Parsippany District 5 Fire Department and Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department at about 7 a.m. Saturday to help the Passaic Fire Department with house coverage.

Parsippany District 5 Fire Department responded with a ladder, while the Mount Tabor Fire Department provided an engine. Lincoln Park Fire Department Co. 1 and Pequannock Township Fire Department Co. 1 also each provided an engine.

All of them covered the East Side, where they responded to an electrical issue, a possible structure fire and an elevator entrapment.

Meanwhile, crews battled a massive fire at Majestic Industries and the Qualco chemical plant in Passaic. Firefighters prevented the blaze from reaching the main chemical plant, which could have endangered the densely populated city, Mayor Hector Lora told the AP.

Read more: NJ Chemical Plant Fire Contained, Evacuations Avoided

Nearby residents were advised to close their windows but didn't have to evacuate, with officials saying the air quality was acceptable but would be monitored. Some residents still fled.

People in New York City could see and smell the heavy smoke. The chemical plant housed plastics, pallets and chlorine, officials told the AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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