UPDATE: Vat of Oxidizing Chemical at Hair Systems Ignited

A hazmat fire was reported at , a multinational distributor of hair products whose warehouse is located at 30 Park Ave. in Englishtown, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Friday, an dispatcher confirmed.

All Englishtown patrolman on duty at the time of the fire were requested to the scene. The , ,  , Freehold Borough Fire Department, Millstone Fire Department, and Jamesburg Fire Department responded to the scene, according to Englishtown Fire Department Chief Peter Hall.

The fire began in back of the warehouse in a section of the building called a "powder room" where some type of manufacturing or packaging was located, according to Hall. The building is mostly used for storage, little  distribution is done at the warehouse, but chemical research is done at the facility, Hall said. A vat containing an oxidizing chemical ignited in the powder room, and the fire was mostly contained to the vat.

The fireman moved the vat out of the "powder room" and used copious amounts of water to douse the flames which sparked a fire due to a chemical reaction, which Hall said was the only treatment to combat such a type of fire.

Heavy smoke conditions were observed and a decontamination trailer, supplied by Manalapan Township Fire Company #1, was activated for the fireman who directly combatted the hazmat fire.

Gordons Corner Fire Company also provided a rehabilitation unit that was used.

Shortly after 1 p.m., the fire was reportedly knocked out and crews ventilated the scene, according to police. There was no structural damage to the warehouse.

The fire was initially discovered by Hall who, when driving past the warehouse, discovered a flood of people exiting the building. Upon closer investigation, Hall realized that the building's fire alarm had been activated and he contacted county. An emergency call had not yet been made.