LINDEN - 1970

"On December 5, 1970, a very unusual fire occurred at the Exxon Refinery in Linden. A giant explosion, followed by ignition of several storage tanks, caused structural damage to homes as far as 7 miles from the site. The incident was followed by the almost instantaneous looting of stores whose windows had been blown away. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured." - Elizabeth Fire Department website