Howell Township Fire
Departments were dispatched to 15 Marl Road to perform an investigation
after calls reporting smoke in the area on February 9, 2023. Upon arriving, the Fire Departments discovered ongoing burning of materials inside of an old
still in which a door had been cut. Firefighters were able to extinguish the
fire.
Upon seeing the condition of the site, firefighters called for Howell
Township Office of Emergency Response (HTOER). After seeing the numerous drums
and smelling a chemical odor, HTOER requested Monmouth County Department of
Health (MCDOH) for a potential hazardous materials response. Upon arrival,
MCDOH began an investigation of the area. MCDOH and HTOER discovered large
quantities of 55-gallon drums, along with smaller quantities of various other
containers around the site. MCDOH and HTOER noted many spills along the ground,
open drums, and drums present in the old still on site. In addition to the
drums inside the still, there appeared to be evidence of solid waste and wooden
pallets, showing evidence of burning. MCDOH then requested the presence of
NJDEP Bureau of Emergency Response (DEPBER) who responded to the site.
The site
appears to be the former location of Compounders Inc. It is estimated from
reports from HTOER that the facility at one point manufactured a number of
chemical compounds, most likely for use in glues and adhesives. It appears at
some point, the company moved on to manufacturing asphalts that were loaded
into trucks for use.
