Residents press Camden County to act after repeated EMR shredder fires; commissioners say they are monitoring

Residents from Waterfront South, environmental groups and nearby municipalities pressed the Camden County Board of Commissioners to hold scrap-processing company EMR accountable and to prevent future fires after the facility experienced another blaze that sent a smoky plume across parts of the county.

Speakers described multiple disruptions and health concerns. "This should not have happened more than once," said resident Mike Morgan, who told the board Waterfront South residents have evacuated repeatedly. "We've had to evacuate three times in my 6-year-old's life." Robert Bennett, another resident, said smoke smelled "extremely toxic" and asked whether the company's repeated incidents amount to criminal negligence.

Advocates urged regulatory action and tighter classification of automotive shredder residue, or ASR. "If ASR were categorized more accurately as hazardous waste," said Mike Morgan, "there could be different laws about how much and how long it could be stored on-site." Kevin Barfield of Camden for Clean Air said the issue is not only fire suppression but ongoing operations, storage of flammable liquids, and proximity of the shredder to critical infrastructure.

County officials said they are coordinating with the city of Camden and state agencies. Director Cappelli told speakers EMR had previously proposed a fire suppression plan that was not implemented and that the county has demanded the company present a fire suppression system. "I think tomorrow we're expected to learn of the fire suppression system that they intend on utilizing," Cappelli said. Deputy Director Ed McDonald said county leaders met with city officials and other stakeholders and described the matter as "extremely serious." He said the county was "working very aggressively" and would keep the public informed.

Speakers also urged the county to press the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for stricter oversight and to consider reclassifying ASR, a position the county said it will explore as it receives investigative reports. County officials noted they had not yet received the fire marshal's report and that some operational approvals for the site were issued through the standard land-use process.

The commissioners said they were sensitive to the public's concerns and would continue coordinating with the city, state and community groups. "We are profoundly concerned about this, and we are working very aggressively on it," Deputy Director McDonald said. The board asked staff to keep residents informed as investigations and enforcement options proceed.