Massive blaze destroys Marcal Paper Mills plant in N.J, toppling iconic sign that stood over Route 80 for decades
A massive blaze burned for hours at a landmark New Jersey paper plant, lighting the frigid night sky and toppling an iconic sign that’s been a local beacon for seven decades.
Fire crews headed to the Marcal Paper Mills in Elmwood Park Wednesday afternoon, as raging flames visible from miles away consumed the building.
Elmwood Park Mayor Frank Caramagna said the roof collapsed by 6:30 p.m., and at one point, the “Marcal” sign, which has been visible along Route 80 since the 1940s, collapsed.
Firefighters have so far reported no injuries, and Councilman Joseph Dombrowski told the North Jersey Record that no one was believed to be inside.
Twitter users shared photos and videos of the devastation caused by the blaze.
Seen on approach to Newark airport #MarcalFirepic.twitter.com/ntnomcI9Qq
— Justin Soffer (@JustinSoffer) January 31, 2019
This is that Marcal factory fire up close smh God Bless those workers and firefighters out there #Marcal#marcalfirepic.twitter.com/4DseGkuPQf
— tito (@Sharky_33) January 31, 2019
Smoke from the #MarcalFire in northern New Jersey now extends approximately 80 miles to the southeast. Terrible challenge for fire crews, on an evening where temperatures are already in the single numbers at 10pm. pic.twitter.com/wly04ug9dK
— 😷 Sam Sagnella⚡️ (@SamSagnella) January 31, 2019
Elmwood Park Police Chief and Borough Administrator Michael Foligno told NorthJersey.com that “whipping” winds fed the flames.
“It’s freezing," Foligno told the paper. "Firefighters are dealing with water on their faces and on their hands. It’s spraying all over you. Regardless of your equipment, it impacts you and slows you down.”
The plant, which sits about 11 miles west of Manhattan, survived several fires, small and large, over the years, NJ.com reported. In 2017, more than 100 firefighters were called to extinguish a five-alarm blaze at the plant.
With Wire Services
