4 injured after explosion reported at industrial complex in Logan Township, New Jersey, officials say
Emergency crews are responding to a reported explosion in Logan Township, New Jersey, according to Gloucester County dispatch.
The Gloucester County prosecutor says an explosion was reported in the Pureland Industrial Complex in the 600 block of Heron Drive in Swedesboro shortly after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The call came in to dispatch as a heavy fire in a one-story manufacturing facility with partial building collapse at 617 Heron Drive, near Route 322 and Interstate 295.
Officials say four people were taken to nearby hospitals — three to Cooper University Hospital, including two trauma patients, and one to a hospital in Philadelphia. A spokesperson for Cooper Health said they originally thought six patients were being transported.
The cause of the explosion and the source that was feeding the flames are unknown at this time.
Police are expected to hold a press conference around 5:30 p.m. to provide an update on the explosion.
A shelter-in-place order for a 2-mile radius of Heron Drive and High Hill Road was in place for over an hour but was lifted sometime after 4:30 p.m., Gloucester County Emergency Management posted on Facebook.
The explosion caused “extensive damage” to the facility and its neighboring building, the emergency department said. Fire and hazmat crews are still on scene to monitor a burn-off of an additional fuel product stored at the scene, they said. Officials are continuing to monitor air quality.
Will Verity, who works in a business nearby, told CBS News Philadelphia that he was in the office at the time of the explosion, and the building shook. He said ceiling tiles fell and the floor shook.
“It was crazy,” Verity said. “We went outside because we didn’t know what the hell happened.”
Eric Brunhammer works at Thomas Scientific, which distributes medical and scientific supplies, in the 1600 block of High Road, less than a mile from the explosion.
Brunhammer told CBS News Philadelphia that he was working when “something tried to come through the wall.”
“It literally sounds like something crashed into the wall of our building,” Brunhammer said. “And then our lights flickered, so the next thing I know, people are running outside, so I ran out with them.”
Brunhammer provided CBS News Philadelphia with a photo of what he saw after the explosion.
Eric R Brunhammer
People posted on social media that they heard some type of explosion. One user on Facebook posted Ring surveillance video in which a large boom can be heard. Another social media user said their house shook.
Bill Urbanski, who lives on Patriot Drive, shared a video that shows his pet dog lying on his couch inside his home and jumping after hearing the explosion.
Camden County emergency crews are assisting Gloucester County with the incident.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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