EPA was notified of a large warehouse fire in Hillsborough, NJ at approximately 16:25 hours today. The Region 2 REOC immediately dispatched the After Hours Response OSC, Dwayne Harrington, who arrive on-scene at approximately 17:00 hours. OSC Harrington met with local fire officials and the NJDEP to determine the nature of the fire and specific air monitoring needs. The structure has been identified as a bulk commodity warehouse with the only suspected material of concern being polystyrene beads. Based on the initially available information and an NJDEP request for air monitoring assistance, EPA ERT and their SERAS contractor have been mobilized and are currently en route to conduct real-time air monitoring for particulates and various toxic products of combustion. The team is also be prepared to collect SUMMA canister samples for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) as needed. Additionally, OSCs Lucarino and Petty are en route to assist OSC Harrington as needed.
After conferring with the EPA, the NJDEP and Somerset County Haz Mat have deployed and are conducting air monitoring in impacted areas. Air monitoring locations have been identified for the ERT team; ERT-SERAS will enhance the current monitoring capabilities upon arrival.
Initially the fire was large and generating a significant amount of smoke. The smoke was reportedly impacting areas of Manville, NJ located to the east of Hillsborough. Several fire companies from around the state and the State Fire Office responded to assist in the firefighting.
