What you should know
- A large fire raged in the Newark harbor early Tuesday, with New York City officials warning that people in the Big Apple could see or smell the smoke.
- Witnesses reported that smoke could be seen and smelled as far away as First Avenue in Manhattan and the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn.
- For now, it is unknown if there are any injuries or how the fire started.
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NEW JERSEY — A large fire raged in the Newark Harbor early Tuesday, with New York City officials warning people in the Big Apple could see or smell the smoke.
As the fire burned, the air quality index (AQI) in Central Park rose at 11 a.m. to 152, a level considered harmful to everyone, even those in good health. At that level, the EPA recommends that everyone consider reducing time outdoors or staying indoors altogether.
The primary pollutant was listed as PM2.5, or “particle pollution,” which can come from a fire.
(The higher the index, the worse the air quality. The index was only 75 at 8 a.m., and has been below 75 on average in the city for the past month, according to AirNow. the EPA).
In Newark, the AQI came in at 152, unhealthy for everyone, where the EPA recommends reducing time outdoors or staying indoors altogether.
Witnesses reported that smoke could be seen and smelled as far away as First Avenue in Manhattan and the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn.
The fire started around 8 p.m. Monday at a scrap metal recycling facility.
Telemundo 47’s helicopter was over the scene Tuesday morning as the fire continued to burn and rescuers had yet to pour water on the flames.
For now, it is unknown if there are any injuries or how the fire started.
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