Date: January 9, 2019
Location: Elmwood Park, New Jersey (USA)
Address: 35 Market Street, 07407
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Paper Dust
Industry: Paper Products (Pulp and Paper)
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Marcal Paper Mills, LLC
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Marcal Paper Mills, LLC is owned by Soundview Paper Company, which was established in 1932. For over five decades, Marcal has been making its paper products from recycled paper to reduce landfill. It is located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey and produces bath tissue, napkins, and paper towels.
Incident Description:
On January 10, 2019, the Daily Voice reported a two-alarm fire at a paper production plant in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.
Firefighters from Elmwood Park and five other boroughs took approximately 90 minutes to extinguish the flames, which were on the roof on Building 10. They used a ladder truck and an inside stairway to access the fire.
Authorities said that the incident, which happened on January 2, was caused by a crane running over an extension cord, igniting a fire in a paper dust bowl.
No injuries were reported.
Previous Incidents:
On February 20, 2017, NorthJersey.com reported a fire at Marcal Paper Mills. Over 100 firefighters from 20 towns helped fight the fire, which began just after 4:30 p.m. and was under control before 7:00 p.m.
On May 29, 2012, Firehouse reported a five-alarm fire at Marcal paper plant. Officials said that the fire ignited in paper dust that collected in a six-inch space between an older wooden roof and the outer roof of corrugated fibreglass and tar. It burned for six hours before firefighters brought it under control. The news source noted that the plant’s own fire brigade extinguished a fire the previous March, which ignited in one of the paper machines.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search turned up two OSHA inspections for Soundview Paper Company, of which Marcal is a subsidiary, but they were not flagged for combustible dust.
Sources:
Daily Voice
NorthJersey.com
Firehouse
