Chemical plant fire in Harrison is quickly extinguished

Published: Tuesday, June 07, 2011, 3:00 AM
By Summer Dawn Hortillosa/The Jersey Journal

Geo Specialty Chemicals located at 8 Essex St. in Harrison.
A two-alarm fire broke out at a chemical plant in Harrison yesterday morning, officials said.

At 6:07 a.m., an employee at the GEO Specialty Chemicals plant at First and Essex streets called 911 and reported a ?microwave fire,? said Fire Chief Thomas Dolaghan.

The worker tried repeatedly to put out the fire, but was unsuccessful, Dolaghan said. Fortunately, firefighters led by Dolaghan and Capt. John Mulrennan were able to get the fire under control within 27 minutes of reporting to the scene, he said.

The fire took place in a 20-by 20-foot laboratory that the company was vacating, Dolaghan said, adding the fire actually originated from a convection oven used to heat sample chemicals.

The fire was not suspicious and appears to have been electrical in nature, Dolaghan said.

Units from Kearny and East Newark also reported to the scene, Dolaghan said.

Hudson Regional Health Commission inspectors came to the plant, which makes paper lubricants and water repellent, and determined there were no hazardous conditions, Dolaghan said.

All employees were able to return to the plant and resume operations, Dolaghan said.