An explosion at an industrial facility on Heron Drive in Swedesboro sent six people to the hospital and triggered a two-mile shelter-in-place order This afternoon.
An explosion tore through an industrial building in Logan Township, New Jersey This afternoon, injuring at least six people and triggering a shelter-in-place order for residents and businesses within a two-mile radius of the scene.
The blast was reported shortly before 3 p.m. at 617 Heron Drive in the Pureland Industrial Complex near Route 322 and Interstate 295 in Swedesboro. The Gloucester County prosecutor confirmed the location, describing the initial call to dispatch as a heavy fire at a one-story manufacturing facility with a partial building collapse.
What happened and who was hurt
At least six people were transported to Cooper University Hospital. A spokesperson for Cooper Health confirmed at least two of the patients were trauma patients. The conditions of all six individuals had not been released as of this afternoon.
Three of the victims suffered burns, according to confirmed reports from the scene. Camden County emergency crews were called in to assist Gloucester County first responders at the site.
The cause of the explosion and the source feeding the subsequent fire were not immediately known. Officials did not identify the specific business operating at the address, though a photo provided to local media identified the location as Thomas Scientific in Logan Township.
Shelter-in-place order and community impact
Gloucester County Emergency Management issued a shelter-in-place order for all residents and businesses within a two-mile radius of Heron Drive and High Hill Road. The order remained in effect until further notice as of the initial reports.
People living near the scene described feeling and hearing the blast. Social media posts from the area included Ring camera footage capturing a loud boom, with at least one resident reporting their house shook from the force of the explosion. Video obtained by local news outlets showed a large plume of black smoke rising from the building.
This is a developing story.