N.J. Blast, Fire Kills 4, Injures 38
LODI, N.J. — Plant workers mixing the wrong combination of chemicals triggered an explosion and roaring fire Friday, killing at least four people, raining debris for blocks and sending flames 1,000 feet high.
The morning blast also injured at least 38 people, including nine workers at the NAPP Technologies Inc. plant about 10 miles from New York City, officials said.
Frank Puccio, a Bergen County prosecutor, said more victims might be inside. About 400 people were evacuated from around the plant but were allowed to return home by early evening.
“The chemicals mixed in such a way as to explode and cause a fire,†Puccio said, adding that the chemicals were all in a large vat.
A plant worker said 35 workers had been evacuated when fumes began wafting from a tank where chemicals were being mixed.
The worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said four workers who remained inside were trying to control the fumes just before the explosion at about 7 a.m. EDT.
The plant employs about 100 people, but office workers and many other employees had yet to arrive for work. The fire was controlled by the afternoon.
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