Firefighters Respond To Smoke Issuing From NOAA Lab

On the morning of Sunday, January 31st, rangers in the Sandy Hook Unit saw a large volume of black smoke emanating from the chimney of NOAA’s James J. Howard Marine Laboratory in the Fort Hancock historic district. The 32,000-square-foot, two-story building houses a full service marine laboratory and offices, staffed by up to 90 people. It also has confined spaces and a large amount of flammable and hazardous materials. NPS firefighters responded in Engine 1 and Rescue 1. Four firefighters entered the lab in full PPE with a multi-gas meter. When they entered the furnace room, they encountered heavy smoke and carbon monoxide levels of well over 100 ppm. They shut down the heating plant and searched the building for employees while protection rangers secured the area and assessed employees for any signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. None showed any signs of poisoning. Firefighters ventilated the carbon monoxide and smoke within 30 minutes. The building was turned over to NOAA maintenance for repairs. The response was managed under ICS.