A massive fire breaks out at a waste management facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey

ELIZABETH, N.J. (WABC) — One person is missing after a massive five-alarm fire ripped through a waste management facility in New Jersey on Tuesday, fire officials say.

News Copter 7 video showed black smoke billowing from the waste management Julia Street Transfer Station at 864 Julia Street in Elizabeth after a fire broke out around 2pm.

Officials said one of the workers at the facility was missing.
They said the fire may have started from machinery inside the building and although tons of rubbish burned stubbornly, the private refuse haulage company does not handle any hazardous materials.

The smoke spread to the surrounding community due to gusty winds and as a result nearby homes were told to evacuate.

No injuries have been reported so far.

Julia Street was closed for a large stretch between Division Street and Route 1.

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There was no impact on operations at nearby Newark Liberty International Airport, with winds blowing smoke away from the area.

Officials said the blaze was under control, but firefighters had to battle the blaze late into the night.

A New Jersey Red Cross disaster response team was also on the scene.
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