Pollution Device at New Jersey Plant Catches Fire

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries battling a fire Tuesday evening at a New Jersey manufacturing plant specializing in water system pipe and fittings, local media report.

At about 5:35 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of heavy smoke at the McWane Ductile plant in Phillipsburg. Fire had broken out in the plant’s baghouse, a 1,600 square foot structure housing a system to filter particulate pollution from the air.

The two-alarm fire, located on the upper levels of the baghouse, proved difficult to extinguish, requiring nearly five hours of work and nearly 80 percent of the fire department’s resources. Neighboring fire departments were notified to deal with any other fires in the community.

“The fire was extremely hot, smoky and difficult to access,” Fire Chief Rich Hay told lehighvalleylive.com.

Operations at the plant were suspended Wednesday until cause could be established.