Air quality monitored after wildfire near Franklin Township Superfund site

FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- Officials say they will continue monitoring air quality in Franklin Township and at local schools for at least the next few days, following a wildfire that broke out Saturday near a former metal finishing plant.

The fire, which burned approximately seven acres, started near Pioneer Metal Finishing, a former electroplating facility now designated as a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to hazardous waste contamination. According to the EPA, soil around the site contains chemical levels that may pose a risk to human health.

Chopper 6 was overhead the fire Wednesday morning, where you could see smoke and crews on scene from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Local residents along Coles Mill Road have experienced smoky conditions since the fire began.

"My wife answered the door and then called me, saying, 'They're asking us to evacuate,'" recalled Anthony Coleman, a Franklin Township resident.

Despite evacuation advisories, Coleman and his family chose to remain at home.

"When it was first happening it was an overwhelming smell. And it was really smoky out here," Coleman said. "It comes and goes and we stay in the house and kind of tolerate it."

Franklin Township Police Chief Matt DeCesari said the fire is 100% contained and air monitoring is underway to assess health risks.

"We have put into place an air monitoring plan in order to test the air quality in that area," DeCesari said. "There were a couple residences that were directly affected by what were deemed unhealthy air levels."

6abc Air Quality Tracker

Air quality is also being monitored at Delsea Regional Middle and High schools. Classes resumed as scheduled on the first day of the school year after tests showed normal air levels.

"At no time have we gotten any unhealthy air levels on school campus and that's why school is still in session," DeCesari said.

The EPA is conducting additional testing and will share results with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Gloucester County.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.