Minor Injuries in Collapse at South Jersey Veggie Plant

Cumberland County officials say there was a partial building collapse and a minor chemical leak at Seabrook Brothers and Sons' vegetable processing plant Wednesday afternoon.

The company said that all 150 workers and staff in the building were accounted for. Two employees suffered minor injuries, and one was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Upper Deerfield Business Building Partial Collapse

At a press conference, Cumberland County Administrator Kevin Smaniotto said the incident happened around 1:30 pm Wednesday.

The cause of the collapse at Seabrook Brothers & Sons Inc. at 85 Finley Rd in Upper Deerfield was not immediately clear, but officials say that there was no explosion.

Police, HAZMAT, and multiple fire departments responded to the site after the incident was initially reported as an explosion.

Smaniotto said that hazmat crews are monitoring the release of a small amount of anhydrous ammonia and say that there is no hazard or threat to the community.

A South Jersey Frozen Vegetable Company

Seabrook Brothers and Sons is described as a third-generation family-owned and operated business that grows, processes, and freezes more than 150 million pounds of frozen vegetables.

It supplies products for industrial ingredients, food service, private-label retail, and Seabrook Farms branded items.

The company offers a wide range of products, such as skillet meals, creamed spinach, butter sauces, cheese sauces, vegetable blends, and specialty products.

It also offers a variety of other products that include green beans, chopped broccoli, green peas, and butter beans.