Fire breaks out inside Camden County commercial building

WEST BERLIN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Around 150 firefighters responded to a Camden County commercial building where flames broke out Thursday afternoon.

The fire was reported around 1:15 p.m. inside a building located on the 100 block of Cooper Road in West Berlin.

Firefighters were forced to fight from ladders hoisted in the air since the flames weakened the steel roof, plus solar panels covering the roof also proved to be too dangerous.

Eventually the roof collapsed.

Water supply also became an issue. At the height of the fire, upwards of 6,000 gallons were used.

Still, hazmat crews came out for precautionary needs and continue to test the air quality and water runoff.

The fire reached three alarms before being placed under control.

The building is home to water purification company Resin Tech. The company manufactures water filtration systems, but the building where the fire occurred is a separate building that handles shipping.

Cardboard and combustibles burned.

About a dozen people inside got out safely. Authorities say no evacuations were needed.

If the fire happened next door there would have been a much different situation, because there are sensitive materials like plastics for the company that makes water purification systems.

No injuries have been reported. There is no word on what caused the fire.