NJ scrapyard fire, which was caused by improperly rejected lithium-ion battery

By Kevin Shea
nj.com

Camden, NJ – A Lithium-ion battery This was not properly sent to a junkyard in Camden, which caused a massive fire on Friday evening, the Scrapyard Company said on Sunday.

The fire started with one EMR Shredding Facility in the Front Street Around 5 p.m. and sent a cloud of smoke to the sky, which was 15 miles, officials said.

Firefighters brought it under control shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday, the company said in a statement.

No injuries were reported, said EMR.

A lithium-ion battery, “incorrectly delivered to EMR and not demonstrably hidden in scrap” is the alleged cause, the company side.

The scrapyard does not accept batteries for disposal or recycling, said the company.

The facility suffered “extensive damage” and requires considerable repairs.

EMR, which has been in the city for over 100 years, employs more than 500 inhabitants, including 150 from Camden.

During the fire, EMR provided the affected residents of Camden near over 100 hotel rooms and meals, according to the company.

“We are upset that this has happened and regretted deeply inconvenience for our neighbors,” says the company's explanation.

The company also said in the statement that the state and the federal government regulates the risks of batteries.

“EMR and the recycling industry consistently addressed the regulation of these fatal devices, but without success. Lithium-ion batteries are omnipresent and are often so small that they are not noticeable. “

“While EMR took several proactive measures to prevent these batteries from entering our recycling stream, the government must act immediately. Manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries, companies that use the batteries in their products, and end users have to be regulated to ensure that appropriate disposal methods are available for these non-recyclable objects, with great punishments for those who do not adhere to them ” Company ”said.

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