Camden officials call for EMR Recycling to be shut down after another fire
Officials in Camden, New Jersey, are calling for a scrap yard to be shut down after another fire sent smoke billowing into South Jersey and spurred health warnings in Philadelphia.
The fire broke out shortly before 3 a.m. Friday at EMR Recycling, a scrap metal recycling facility on Ferry Avenue near Camden's waterfront.
The fire was declared under control around 6 a.m. and crews cleared the site by around 9:30 a.m., according to the company.
During the morning we saw crews spraying water on the flames and smoldering metal as EMR equipment worked to move debris.
The company said the fire likely originated from a lithium battery.
"Enough is enough," said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen.
Later in the day, Camden officials called on the Environmental Protection Agency and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to close the facility.
"We will not stand idly by while residents are exposed to fires on a regular basis and have to bear the burdens of an operation that clearly cannot function in a safe manner. We will no longer allow shelter in place alerts to go out because of another mishap in this scrap metal operation. Enough is enough," said a statement from Mayor Vic Carstarphen, County Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, state Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Council President Angel Fuentes and vice president Arthur Barclay.
EMR recently installed a new fire suppression system, but Friday morning, Fire Chief Jesse Flax said the system initially didn't work. Once it kicked in, it did help crews contain the fire, Flax said.
Neighbors in the area say they're growing more frustrated after another fire.
"Our kids got to go to school in the morning and smell that pollution and all that, in the hell all that. It may not affect them right now, but in the long run it will affect them," said Camden resident Jason Grimes.
"You can barely breathe. The black smoke that comes down here, and you be coughing," said John Pease, who lives near the facility.
EMR said no one was injured in the fire.
EMR Recycling will pause operations during investigation, company says
EMR Recycling says it is ceasing operation of its shredder while the investigation into the fire is underway.
"We want to acknowledge the outstanding response by our on-site team and the Camden Fire Department, whose coordination ensured the fire was contained to the facility. The early detection capabilities of our fire suppression system, recognized by the Fire Chief, played an important role in the swift response," EMR USA Metal Recycling said in a statement.
EMR also urged state and federal authorities to create more regulations around lithium battery disposal.
Philadelphia, Camden officials issue warnings about smoke impacts from fire
By Friday afternoon, smoky conditions had dissipated, but earlier in the day, officials issued words of caution to residents.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management said smoke from the fire may be present in the city and it may be visible from areas like Old City.
The Philadelphia public health department recommended that residents avoid going outdoors as much as possible, close windows and doors and recirculate indoor air with fans to avoid bringing air pollution into their homes.
Fire departments around South Jersey say residents noticed a burning plastic-like smell.
The City of Camden encouraged residents to stay indoors to avoid smoke and pollution. If your home has an HVAC or air conditioner that draws outside air, you should switch it off until the particulate matter has dissipated.
EMR in Camden was the site of a massive fire last year
Earlier in May, EMR debuted a new fire suppression system.
A four-alarm fire at EMR in February 2025 took about six hours to get under control and also sent smoke into Philly. The company said last year's fire was likely caused by a lithium-ion battery that was "wrongly delivered" to the facility and concealed within scrap metal.
