On Friday, February 21, 2025, at approximately 1654 hours, the Camden Fire Department was dispatched to the EMR Metal Recycling facility at 1400 S. Front Street, Camden, NJ, for the report of a junkyard fire. Two engine companies, one ladder company and BC 1 were dispatched. BC-1, Zeke Tirado, was first to arrive and reported a large pile of scrap metal burning. BC Tirado requested the full box transmitted which brought in another engine company and ladder company. E-8 was the first engine to arrive and hooked up to the yard hydrant in the corner of the property. Shortly after, Tower Ladder 3 was special called to the scene. The scrap metal on fire spread to the approximately 3 story conveyor belt fed industrial sized shredding machine. First due, Engine 8, once connected to the hydrant, attacked the fire with their deck gun. Second due, Squad 7, entered the yard and attacked the fire with but transitioned to supplying Tower Ladder 3 for aerial operations. The fire spread throughout the large, approximately 40 foot high scrap metal piles and into the 3 story industrial shredding machine. Thick, black, acrid smoke pumped out from the fire into the surrounding neighborhoods and could be seen for miles. Agencies were called to monitor the smoke and other environment concerns. 

Second, third, and fourth alarms were transmitted to assist with water delivery to the fire ground along with the Camden County 5” Pipeline Task Force which brought in several mutual aid fire companies throughout Camden County. The fire was brought under control shortly after 11 pm and many of the companies remained on location throughout the night.