Camden junkyard fire sparked by lithium-ion battery causes safety concerns
- The massive fire at EMR Metal Recycling facility affected local residents, forcing evacuations due to poor air quality.
- Investigations revealed that a lithium-ion battery, concealed within scrap metal, likely initiated the fire, despite the company's strict recycling policies.
- Local officials and community members are calling for better safety regulations to prevent such hazardous incidents from occurring in the future.
In Camden, New Jersey, a significant fire broke out at the EMR Metal Recycling facility on February 21, 2025. The fire originated around 5 p.m. and quickly escalated, leading to responses from 15 to 20 fire companies. The blaze was eventually brought under control around 1:15 a.m. the following day, but it took until 5 a.m. to fully extinguish the remaining hotspots. Residents were affected with around 100 people voluntarily evacuating their homes due to poor air quality caused by the smoke. The incident is not isolated; it marked the sixth fire at this facility since 2021, making it the largest to date. Initial investigations indicated that the fire was likely started by a lithium-ion battery that had been improperly delivered to the shredding facility. EMR Metal Recycling clarified their position, asserting they do not handle lithium-ion batteries and prohibit suppliers from delivering them. However, this battery was concealed within other scrap metal, which led to its undetected presence. Lithium-ion batteries are known to pose risks as they can ignite under certain conditions, such as being damaged, overcharged, or exposed to extreme temperatures. Camden County officials expressed frustration over the recurrent fires, emphasizing the necessity for stricter regulations regarding battery disposal and recycling. As a result of the fire, EMR provided hotel accommodations and meals for affected residents, striving to manage the situation and recoup community trust. Local authorities, including Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, met with EMR representatives to discuss the future of the facility and ways to prevent such incidents from occurring again. The situation raised alarms about the safety protocols employed at recycling facilities, especially those dealing with hazardous materials like batteries, igniting discussions about regulatory oversight in the recycling industry. In the aftermath, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) conducted air quality tests, which confirmed the air was safe for residents to breathe. However, many community members voiced their distress over repeated fire incidents and the perceived threats they pose to public safety. They called for immediate action to ensure that such dangerous situations do not happen again, advocating for either the relocation of the recycling facility or their own relocation due to ongoing fears and trauma from the repeated episodes of fire.