VIDEOS: A raging fire at a waste management facility sent thick, black smoke into the sky for hours Tuesday in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The fire is out, but officials say one person was found dead Wednesday morning. CBS2's Elijah Westbrook has learned the fire claimed the life of a person who first responders believe was a missing employee.
It took firefighters more than 10 hours to get the massive fire under control.
Neighbors said they were stunned at how intense the fire was. One family said they didn't feel comfortable staying in their home because of how close they were to the fire, and felt like they had no choice but to stay at a hotel.
"I was sleeping, then all the smoke came out and we came running out of the house like crazy," witness Jorge Rodriguez told CBS2.
"It's crazy. It could have been worse. You never know," another person added.