Fire near New Jersey chemical plant spreads thick smoke

Water from firefighter hoses froze in cold weather and made the environment slick and hazardous for responders.

The fire was in buildings housing plastics, pallets and chlorine, officials told NorthJersey.com.

"There have been bad fires, but this is the worst that I've ever seen," Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said.

Residents near the blaze were advised to close their windows but were not required to evacuate.

One firefighter was taken to a hospital after being struck by debris, officials said. He was doing well, though other firefighters slipped and fell in the slick conditions, officials said.