Passaic residents evacuated as 11-alarm chemical fire rages downtown - NorthJersey.com

Mayor Hector Lora said that the bulk of the fire is in the Majestic Industries portion of the property but that part has also spread to the Qualco chemical plant at 225 Passaic St., Mayor Hector Lora said.

Passaic Street from First Street to Main Avenue was closed to traffic as well as Route 21 in both directions.

“I’m asking residents to keep your windows closed as our fire department and our emergency responders are assessing the extent of this fire,” Lora said.

“We are asking all residents to stay as far away as possible.

Phil Murphy echoed that sentiment on social media, posting that he urged "everyone in Passaic to stay safe as firefighters battle a large eight-alarm fire at a chemical plant off of Route 21.".

"If you live nearby, keep your windows closed," Murphy said.

Lora stressed that it was being assessed but that it was important to stay away because it was a chemical fire.

Lora expects residents from the area to be evacuated and is working to set up a shelter in the city for those displaced.

Nearby Wallington sent an alert to their residents advising them to stay indoors with windows closed and to be on the lookout for large embers coming across the river.

East Rutherford also posted that "shifting winds may cause smoke from the working fire at a chemical factory in Passaic to pass over areas of the borough" and encouraged residents to stay inside until the fire is under control. .