Fire Rescue News- Tech center to reopen; cause of fire still unknown

Tech Center Fire

Posted: Sunday, June 24, 2012 6:27 pm | Updated: 8:57 pm, Sun Jun 24, 2012.

By BRIAN IANIERI Staff WriterpressofAtlanticCity.com

The William J. Hughes Technical Center is expected to reopen for business this morning, following several explosions and a fire Friday that prompted hundreds to evacuate the Federal Aviation Administration complex in Egg Harbor Township.

The cause of the fire has not yet been identified, FAA spokeswoman Holly Baker.....Continue Reading

said Sunday afternoon.

The cost of the damage also remains undetermined, she said.

Meanwhile, about 230 employees who work on the second and third floor of Building 300 — the main administrative building at the complex — will be temporarily relocated to workstations in the auditorium and atrium while repairs continue, Baker said.

“There was a lot of smoke through the entire building, soot in the stairwells and work areas, and debris and water in the affected work areas,” she said.

The center is an aviation research, development and test facility for the FAA, and a major employer in the area.

Early Friday afternoon, witnesses reported hearing two large explosions followed by a smaller one near Building 300.

An Atlantic County fire official had said the fire began on the roof and spread inside the building. An FAA spokeswoman had said contractors were working on the roof at the time of the fire.

Employees were evacuated from Buildings 300 and 316.

No injuries were reported as a result of Friday’s fire, although three firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion.

Contact Brian Ianieri:

609-272-7253

BIanieri@pressofac.com