Firefighters have still been unable to enter the Kearny chlorine plant that caught fire on Friday and led to the daylong closure of the Pulaski Skyway.
Gasses accumulating in the Alden Leeds chlorine facility as a result of ongoing chemical reactions caused two explosions late Sunday afternoon, Kearny Fire Department Chief Steve Dyl said Monday afternoon. Dyl added that the chemical reactions persisting at the plant have the potential of reigniting the blaze.
The fire temporarily closed the Pulaski Skyway, Routes 1 and 9 and a portion of the New Jersey Turnpike due to the threat presented by fumes emanating from the blaze, Dyl said. Traffic in municipalities around the area was snarled for hours on Saturday due to road closures.
Firefighters have been pouring water on the building since the fire began, including with the assistance of fire boats. When the explosions rocked the Jacobus avenue plant Sunday, the gallon flow of water drowning the facility was boosted, Dyl said.