Rich Rolen | for WFMZ-TV
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. – Fire crews responded to a blaze early Sunday morning at a business building in Phillipsburg.
Phillipsburg police, fire and EMS units were dispatched at 9:53 a.m. to the McWane Ductile, located in the 100 block of Sitgreaves Street, for a reported structure fire and explosion, according to the fire chief.
Rich Rolen | for WFMZ-TV
Upon arrival, the “paint room”, located at the southern end of the approximately 1000 foot long main manufacturing building, was fully involved in fire, according to officials.
The paint room is the area of the plant where finished pipe is coated with a paint-like substance as the final step in the manufacturing process.
The Phillipsburg fire chief confirms that the plant was in operation during the time of the fire and that all employees had safely evacuated and were all accounted for upon arrival of the fire department.
All six Phillipsburg fire companies responded to this three-alarm fire, according to the fire chief.
Rich Rolen | for WFMZ-TV
The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes despite firefighters facing the cold weather challenges, freezing water almost instantly, according to the news release.
There were no reported injuries from the fire.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Phillipsburg Police Department, the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, and the State of New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.
There is no estimate of damage at this time.