UPDATE: The body of a man has been located
inside the facility Monday evening and an investigator from the Orange
County Medical Examiner’s Office was called to the scene. Earlier in the
day, police said one man could not be located.
VAILS GATE – More than 30 employees of Verla International, the
cosmetics manufacturer on Temple Hill Road in New Windsor, were injured
today, when two explosions and fire rocked the 52,000 square foot facility.
Seven firefighters – from Vails Gate and the City of Newburgh –
were also injured with one taken to Westchester Medical Center for treatment
of “serious facial burns,” said City Manager Michael Ciaravino.
The other Newburgh firefighter injured sustained a broken ankle.
None of the injuries was believed to be life-threatening, officials said.
The fire is believed to have started in the manufacturing area of the
facility which makes nail polish and cosmetics. What caused it is unknown
at this time; however, many of the chemicals used in the manufacturing
process are alcohol-based, officials said.
The four-alarm fire that broke out at 10:19 a.m. and brought out an estimated
150 firefighters from 30 departments was still burning as of 2:30 p.m.
Early on in an abundance of caution, authorities issued a shelter in
place directive because of the potential of toxic fumes and smoke. It
was lifted at 1:30 p.m. and state Environmental Conservation Commissioner
Basil Seggos said air monitoring systems and water collection systems
were being brought in as precautions.
Governor Cuomo placed the full resources of the state at the disposal
of local officials to handle the event. In addition to Seggos, the state
health commissioner and State Police superintendent are on the scene.
Verla has apparently been cited by OSHA in the past for violations of
workplace conditions.
