Officials: Partial collapse, chemical leak reported at vegetable processing plant in Upper Deerfield Township
Cumberland County administrator Kevin Smaniotto says the incident happened around 1:30 p.m. at Seabrook Brothers & Sons on Finley Road.
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A structural collapse shut down operations at a fruit and vegetable processing plant in Cumberland County.
"To the best of our knowledge, no explosion. The assumption was because of the way the building sank and fell," said Kevin Smaniotto, Cumberland County administrator.
Rubble was seen everywhere, as well as a building with its roof sunken and walls leaning at Seabrook Brothers & Sons, a fruit and vegetable processing plant, in Upper Deerfield Township.
According to officials, there was a structure collapse in the building around 1:30 p.m., where processing takes place.
A total of 150 employees were in the building when the collapse happened, and at least two employees suffered minor injuries. One first responder suffered heat exhaustion. The building was evacuated by the time first responders arrived.
A member of Cumberland County's Office of Emergency Management team said they didn't find anyone in the building after their initial search.
"Management had conducted their own assessments and reached out directly to all of their employees that were on site today and confirmed that they were all accounted for and there were no missing people inside the building," they said.
There was a large-scale law enforcement response on the ground, just beyond the facility gates.
According to Cumberland County officials, first responders from Gloucester County, Salem County, Atlantic County and Camden County, which included fire, EMS and police were on scene to assist.
Early reports said there was an explosion, but officials say it was just a structural collapse.
Officials are not sure what caused it, but there was also a minor ammonia leak, which called for a hazmat team on the scene.
"Hazmat crews have continued to monitor the release of anhydrous ammonia and have determined that the levels of ammonia released are minimal," Smaniotto said.
Structural collapse specialists from Camden County assessed the building and said there’s no further concern for collapse.
Officials say there’s no hazard or threat to the surrounding community.
