SWEDESBORO — An explosion tore through a cocoa butter processing facility in Logan Township Wednesday afternoon, sending five people to the hospital and prompting a shelter-in-place order for thousands of residents in Gloucester County. The blast occurred at 2:36 p.m. on March 4 at the Savita Naturals facility on Heron Drive inside the Pureland Industrial Complex. Officials said the explosion generated a powerful shockwave that was felt more than 15 miles away, including in parts of neighboring Pennsylvania. Five individuals were injured in the incident. Four victims, including the facility owner, remain in critical condition at Cooper University Hospital, according to officials. A fifth individual experienced a medical emergency in a nearby building following the explosion.
Extensive Damage at Industrial Facility
Emergency responders arriving at 617 Heron Drive encountered extensive structural damage to the single-story processing building. Officials reported a partial collapse of the facility, along with impact damage to nearby structures.
Logan Township Police Chief Joseph Flatley described the explosion as the largest industrial accident he has witnessed in his 25 years of service.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” Flatley told reporters during a briefing at the scene.
Shelter-in-Place Order Issued for Nearby Residents
Authorities issued a two-mile radius shelter-in-place order shortly after the explosion, affecting approximately 7,200 residents in the surrounding area.
The order covered neighborhoods near Heron Drive and High Hill Road and remained in effect until approximately 5 p.m., when officials determined that air monitoring showed no immediate hazards.
Firefighters and hazardous materials teams conducted air testing throughout the afternoon. Officials said no dangerous airborne contaminants were detected, though monitoring continues as crews manage the controlled burnoff of remaining fuel at the facility.
Propane and Flammable Materials Complicated Response
Initial concerns centered on large quantities of liquid propane stored on site for manufacturing processes. The presence of propane and other flammable materials raised the risk of secondary explosions and required specialized handling by Gloucester County hazardous materials teams.
All employees who were present inside the facility at the time of the explosion have been accounted for, officials confirmed.
Cooper University Hospital in Camden confirmed receiving at least three patients, including two trauma cases, from the incident.
Facility Produced Specialty Oils
Savita Naturals operates as a specialty oil extraction facility, producing cocoa butter, seed oils, and CBD-related products.
Public records indicate the family-run business has operated at the Swedesboro location for approximately 35 years. The facility uses ethanol and liquid propane in its extraction processes, both of which are highly flammable and require strict industrial safety controls.
State and Local Agencies Respond
Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, including local fire departments, Logan Township police, and county emergency management teams.
The New Jersey State Police assisted with coordination efforts while state environmental officials were notified of the incident.
Governor Mikie Sherrill was briefed on the situation as the response unfolded, according to state officials.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Emergency Response was also notified and continues monitoring conditions at the site.
Explosion Felt Miles Away
Residents across southern New Jersey reported feeling the blast. In Harrison Township, approximately 10 miles from the facility, residents said the explosion shook buildings.
Reports also came from across the Delaware River in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, where people felt the shockwave roughly 15 miles from the explosion site.
Officials said damage appears largely confined to the Savita Naturals facility and one adjacent structure within the Pureland Industrial Complex.
Investigation Likely
Firefighters remain on site managing the controlled burnoff of residual propane and other materials as investigators work to secure the scene.
Authorities say business operations at the facility have been suspended indefinitely pending structural inspections and cleanup.
Federal workplace safety regulators are expected to review the incident. Industrial accidents involving hazardous materials often fall under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, though officials have not yet confirmed the agency’s involvement.
Chief Flatley said there is no ongoing threat to the surrounding community as emergency operations continue.
Sources
Logan Township Police Department
Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
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Crazy! Hope the injured workers end up okay
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