Cleanup for Palmer Plastics Fire Begins

The smell of burning plastic still hung in the air as cleanup efforts moved forward at National Plastics in Palmer Township. The company, which according to their website is a commercial plastics recycler, was the site of a 3-alarm fire yesterday.

According to an Express-Times article, a hazardous materials team from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is monitering the air and water quality surrounding the site. The article goes on to say that initial tests at the scene showed water runoff and air quality levels met the safety standard.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Palmer Township Fire Commissioner Delmar Grube said the fire likely began in a dumpster filled with plastics. The fire then spread to the building.

Fire officials first received a call about a dumpster fire at 10:52 am Friday. The fire quickly spread causing a third-alarm to be sounded.

Grube estimated up to 25 fire units responded to the blaze.