Hundreds of drums and containers found on a Howell Township property are being monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency as residents who live nearby continue to ask questions.

The entire area surrounding 15 Marl Road continues to be fenced in and under 24-hour security since a fire last month led to the discovery of 200-300 barrels containing chemicals.

Howell Township fire departments were dispatched on Feb. 9 to the former Compounders Inc. site, where they discovered materials burning inside an old metal structure on site. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection found many of which were either bulging, rusting, denting, or leaking and contacted the EPA. The site is at is the former location of Compounders Inc., a facility that manufactures several chemical compounds, including glues, adhesives, and asphalt materials.

During a presentation last week, crews said they are still developing a plan to contain the substances in the barrels and shows a potential evacuation plan. The plan shows a ½ mile radius and a mile radius from the property.

Tests on the materials can't be done until the barrels are safely removed. There are several schools in the evacuation plan.