Schools Evacuate Following a Massive Fire in Gloucester County, NJ

Schools Evacuate Following a Massive Fire in Gloucester County, NJ

Staff

A large fire enveloped a swimming pool manufacturing facility in Gloucester County on Thursday morning, prompting the evacuation of two schools and several homes and businesses within a one-mile radius. Nearby residents are urged to stay alert.

Emergency crews responded to North East Pool Builders on Harding Highway, also known as Route 40, around 9:30 a.m. after reports of heavy flames and a thick plume of black smoke visible for miles. The fire was brought under control by late morning, but freezing temperatures complicated efforts, with ice forming on the property and requiring treatment from a salt truck.

Students from Main Road School, which houses grades 3 and 4, were relocated to Reutter School as a precaution, according to Franklin Township Police. Roughly 400 students were impacted. Our Lady of Mercy Academy on Main Road was also evacuated.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection arrived on the scene to monitor air quality, while local and county fire crews, including a hazmat team, worked to contain the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The building and several trailers at the site sustained significant damage. Signs outside the facility identified it as a manufacturer of fiberglass swimming pools. A business representative stated he was out of state and had no additional details.

Residents and local farmers expressed concern over the fire’s impact. Julie Bishop, a nearby farmer, was temporarily unable to return to her property due to the evacuation. “I hope the wind doesn’t shift because right now, it’s blowing the smoke away from my farm,” she said.

Authorities temporarily closed Harding Highway between Main Road and Blue Bell Road for the response and investigation. There have been no immediate reports of injuries.

The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.