Massive Fire Erupts at Pepsi Factory in New Jersey; Pictures Show Company Engulfed in Thick Black Smoke

Mayor Brian C. Wahler revealed a big fire was blazing at a Pepsi factory in Piscataway on Tuesday night.

On New Brunswick Avenue, near Lakeview Avenue, a fire broke out at a soft drink company. Around 7:30 pm, a production part of the plant continued to fire, drawing a large reaction from township and adjacent emergency services, according to the mayor. According to early accounts, many propane tanks may have exploded, causing the flames to spread.

Piscataway Pepsi Complex Four-Alarm Fire

"For Middlesex County, this is an all-hands-on-deck mutual aid call," Wahler said. He stated that the fire was likely to reach at least four alarm levels, NJ.com reported. According to the mayor, there were no early reports of injuries to staff at the factory, but neighbors were advised to avoid the area. He said crews were attempting to keep the fire from spreading to surrounding woodlands and homes.

As of 7:30 p.m., no homes were on fire, according to Wahler. Thick smoke billowed from the factory, according to photos posted on social media. Multiple explosions were also reported by residents in the neighborhood. Pepsi claimed the fire originated outside its facility and warehouse in a statement.

The Sun received an update from a Pepsi-Co spokesperson, who stated that the cause of the incident will be probed. First responders are on the scene, working to keep the fire under control and extinguish it quickly. There were no injuries among the staff and people who were in the facility when it was evacuated. According to initial reports, propane tanks may have exploded, causing the fire to spread quickly.

Eyewitnesses said the fire appeared to be isolated to one area of the plant. Residents are advised to stay away from New Brunswick Avenue, Carlton Avenue, and Lakeview Avenue. The incident was described as a "major structural fire" by Piscataway Township, which advised residents to avoid New Brunswick Avenue, Carlton Avenue, and Lakeview Avenue to allow first responders access to the scene.

Debris and embers from the fire may also be blowing into brush to the side of the facility, according to reports. Pepsi trucks parked at the facility are seen smoking on video and appear to be on the verge of fully igniting. According to some accounts, flames are leaping up to 40 feet into the air.

The Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company, Inc., is located at 2200 New Brunswick Ave., and one resident who lives less than a mile away reported hearing multiple explosions and shared video footage of the smoke on Twitter, calling the situation "scary."

According to a company directory, the factory employs approximately 170 people. Pepsi-Co is also the parent company of Frito-Lay and Quaker Foods, among other well-known brands.

Fire at Jojo Discount Store in Chicago

Meanwhile, an extra-alarm fire gutted an Albany Park store Tuesday afternoon, with the roof collapsing as firefighters battled the flames. The fire broke out at Jojo Discount Store, which offered mattresses and discount furniture, just after noon.

The store was open when the fire broke out, and customers were inside. Witnesses said those people ran screaming out of the building, but Fire Department officials said everyone made it out safely. The fire was able to be contained to the building where it began. The flames caused the store's truss roof to fall at 1:15 pm. on Lawrence Ave. The building emitted thick smoke that could be seen for miles.

Because of the extremely combustible materials inside and the truss ceiling that fell all at once, CBS 2's Kris Habermehl said it was a tenacious fire. When the roof caved in, a large wall of flame erupted in front of the building, narrowly missing firefighters across the street.

The incident destroyed a street sign adjacent to the building and damaged automobiles at a nearby body business with its intense flames. The fire also destroyed the Jojo shop sign, revealing the remains of a used car dealership that formerly occupied the space. The building would be a "total loss" and would have to be demolished, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

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Fire, New Jersey