Date: January 30, 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: Unknown
Company: Marcal Paper Mills
Database Incidents: IID357
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 31, 2019, ABC7 NY reported a structural fire at a paper products plant in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.
When the fire ignited at around 5:00 p.m. on January 30, it went straight to eight alarms. Nearly 300 firefighters responded, but the strong wind and intense made their efforts more difficult.
Large rolls of paper in the warehouse were engulfed in flames and the roof collapsed, forcing all emergency responders from the building. When the fire spread to propane tanks and other combustibles, firefighters decided to just let the fire burn itself out though it continued to smolder and smoke could be seen from as far away as Route 80 in Hackensack.
As a precaution, residents living near the plant were evacuated. The ramp on I-80 to Exit 61 was closed in both directions due to heavy smoke. In turn, the road closures resulted in schools closing on January 31.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
On February 4, ABC7 NY reported that Soundview Paper Company, the parent company for Marcal Paper Mills, had created an employment opportunities website to allow Marcal Paper Mills workers to search open positions at nearby businesses. The company also said employees will have access to additional transition aid and extended health benefits.
Previous Incidents:
On January 10, 2019, the Daily Voice reported a two-alarm fire at Marcal Paper Mills. It took firefighters from six boroughs approximately 90 minutes to put out the fire, which was on the roof. The alleged cause was a crane running over an extension cord, igniting a fire in a paper dust bowl.
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 fiberglass 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
Incident Update:
On June 8, 2019, News12 reported that January’s fire at the factory cost Elmwood Park approximately $185,000 to fight. The borough spent almost $85,000 paying first responders and $7,000 feeding the personnel fighting the fire. Fixing and replacing equipment after the fire cost more than $92,000.
Sources:
ABC7 NY (February 1)
ABC7 NY (January 31)
Daily Voice
NorthJersey.comFirehouse
News12 New Jersey
