Camden officials call for EMR Recycling to be shut down after another fire

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Officials in Camden, New Jersey, are calling for a scrap yard to be shut down after another fire sent smoke billowing into South Jersey and spurred health warnings in Philadelphia.

The fire broke out shortly before 3 a.m. Friday at EMR Recycling, a scrap metal recycling facility on Ferry Avenue near Camden’s waterfront.

The fire was declared under control around 6 a.m. and crews cleared the site by around 9:30 a.m., according to the company.

During the morning crews were spraying water on the flames and smoldering metal as EMR equipment worked to move debris.

The company said the fire likely originated from a lithium battery.

“Enough is enough,” said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen.

Later in the day, Camden officials called on the Environmental Protection Agency and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to close the facility.

EMR recently installed a new fire suppression system, but Friday morning, Fire Chief Jesse Flax said the system initially didn’t work.

Courtesy: www.dailydispatch.com