South Jersey ‘Booms’ Blamed on Refinery Demolition

The demolition of equipment at the Sunoco plant in West Deptford is being blamed for loud "booms" across south Jersey.

The demolition took place around 9 a.m. on Saturday morning according to NBC Philadelphia.

A memo posted on the West Deptford Township website explains the controlled implosion of the CAT unit at the Eagle Point facility is also called a "fractionator," and  includes a chimney and a tower. Police and fire were on location during the implosion.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says the plant is being decommissioned and stopped production in 2009. Nearly 400 people worked at the plant; that number is down to 50 at the plant now mainly used to store and transfer petroleum.

West Deptford Mayor Ray Chintall told the newspaper in an email there would be no damage to surrounding homes from shock waves.

MORE COVERAGE:

• Demolition at West Deptford, New Jersey plant blamed for loud booms / 6 ABC
• Demolition continues at W. Deptford refinery Saturday / Philadelphia Inquirer
• Inside Saturday's Sunoco Eagle Point Demolition /West Deptford Patch