UPDATE: Residents Near Warehouse Fire Not Allowed To Return Wednesday

Residents who live near a massive warehouse fire that broke out early Wednesday will not be allowed to return home until at least Thursday.
Air monitoring will continue until at least Thursday or Friday, but as of Wednesday evening no hazards had been detected, officials said.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency was at the scene, working with the state and county to monitor air quality in the area.

The warehouse fire on Livingston Avenue broke out early Wednesday, authorities said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Dwayne Harrington of the EPA said a chemical plume - which was largely invisible - was moving up and out of harm’s way. But officials planned to continue to monitor air quality in the area.

“This fire is about the smoke more than anything else,’’ he said.

NJ.com and WCBS News reported that the smoke was visible from space.

At a news conference aired Wednesday on News 12 New Jersey, North Brunswick Fire Chief Donald Salzmann said firefighters expected to be at the scene through Wednesday night and possibly into Thursday.

Some 85 percent of the heavy fire had been extinguished, but the smoke was expected to remain through the night and probably Thursday, the fire chief said.
Crews on Wednesday evening were working to put out hot spots, he said.

The fire began in the center of the building, which made it so difficult to fight, he said.
Then it spread to the north, and then to the south, he said.

He said 44 engines, 10 ladder trucks, and 35 tankers from Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon counties were at the scene. Firefighters were running a water shuttle, taking water from nearby lake, he said.

Middlesex County HazMat crews are also monitoring water run-off, he said.

Residents were told to stay inside, shut their windows and turn off air conditioners.

“No immediate hazard has been detected, however residents should avoid inhaling smoke and stay indoors,’’ according to the township.

Mayor Mac Womack said residents of both North and South Brunswick may experience low water pressure Wednesday. Residents are being asked to conserve water, and are being warned that their water could be discolored.

A state Department of Environmental Protection representative said all water run-off was being captured in a retention pond and would be handled on site.

One firefighter suffered a hand injury, the fire chief said.

The warehouse that is burning contains about eight businesses and is a little more than 1 million square feet in total, he said.

News12 New Jersey described the blaze as a four-alarm fire and said it began around 2 a.m.

The warehouse is at 1600 Livingston Avenue, near the ramp to Route 1 north.

The warehouse is owned by a New York-based company, the fire chief said.

Businesses in that warehouse also include a plastics manufacturer, and another that contains floor coverings, blinds and household furniture.

Only one business had a night shift on duty when the fire began, Salzmann said.

A car export company also rents a lot near the warehouse. All of those vehicles, believed to be used, were destroyed, he said.

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Summer classes at the nearby Judd School were canceled Wednesday, said Salzmann.

Linwood School is open for residents who have been evacuated. About 75 of those residents were at the school, police said.

Radiant heat exposure set siding on fire at one home on Birchwood Court, but it was quickly extinguished.

Salzmann said this is one of the largest fires ever to break out in the township.

The fire could be seen as far away as New York City and Ocean County, raising fears about the toxicity of the smoke.

Police were advising drivers to expect road closures and avoid the area. East Brunswick police also closed a portion of Hardenburg Lane in their town because of the fire.

Video - Mike Hoss WWL-TV

Photo 1 - Melissa‏@Mel123123

Photo 2 - News12 New Jersey

Photo 3 - Gillian Anderson

Photo 4 - via North Brunswick police Facebook page