Cause Of Marcal Paper Fire In Elmwood Park Still Unknown: Police

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — An extensive investigation into the massive fire that destroyed the Marcal Paper Co. plant in January has yielded no answers to what caused the blaze.

The nine-alarm fire Jan. 30 destroyed 31 of the 36 buildings at the Marcal Paper complex in Elmwood Park. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office interviewed more than 100 Marcel Paper employees, outside workers, neighbors and witnesses of the fire, along with people who saw the fire at various points before it was extinguished, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a news release.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives National Response Team assisted the prosecutor's office with their investigation. They tried to determine what caused the fire and where it started.

The fire started in the northeastern most building on the south side of the railroad tracks, called building No. 41, Musella said. The fire originated in a part of the building where large rolls of paper Marcel used to make products were stored, he said.

Investigators could not determine the exact cause of the fire "due to extensive damage," Musella said.

Authorities do not believe the fire was intentionally started. The cause will be listed as "undetermined" for now until more information is gathered, the prosecutor said.

"The investigation was a large undertaking, which included experts in the origin and cause of fire, interviewing, and technical experts in varying aspects of building construction," Musella said.

Related: Massive Fire Consumes Marcal Paper Plant In Elmwood Park

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze for hours until it was finally extinguished the next day.

Nobody was inside the building when the fire broke out, CBS2 reported when the fire occurred. No injuries were reported, but nearby homes were evacuated, according to NorthJersey.com. More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze, according to published reports.

Anyone with information regarding the cause of the fire is asked to call the Bergen County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Unit, Arson Squad at 201-226-5787 or the Elmwood Park Police Department at 201-796-0700.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com