Paterson, N.J.-A wall of a two-story building undergoing renovation next door to Harvest Lawn Care collapsed at mid-day Sept. 8, causing no injuries but forcing the precautionary emptying of a 1,500-gallon fertilizer tank containing liquid nitrogen. Paterson City Fire Deputy Chief John Duffy told Green Markets the fertilizer posed no danger to nearby residents, but the decision to empty the tank was made because of the severe damage to the building’s roof. He said tank contents were transferred over several hours into three tanker trucks, adding that he doubted there would be any product loss. Duffy said that heavy debris from the building cave-in may have damaged roof rafters beyond repair and has put the fertilizer plant temporarily out of business. He said inspection of the rafters indicates the roof may have to be replaced. City firefighters arriving on the scene were told by construction workers at the collapsed building that no one was trapped in the rubble. The building owner had received city planning board permission to convert an old mill into condominiums. Harvest Lawn Care owner Donald Foster told the local press he was in the office doing inventory when he heard a loud boom. “I thought a plane was coming through the building,” Foster said. “It was tremendous. I started to scream, ‘You guys OK?’, but I didn’t hear any response.” When he went outside he found the workers standing there unhurt. The company provides turf maintenance and treatment, tree and scrub services, and commercial lawn care in New Jersey and New York.
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