Cleaning Up Spoiled Food is 'Top Priority,' Says Dietz & Watson Spokesman

Life stinks for many Delanco and Edgewater Park residents lately. Literally.

A foul odor created by tons of spoiled food has permeated the area surrounding the burned-out Dietz & Watson facility in Delanco in recent days, creating a headache for those living nearby.

"Oh yeah, it's rank," remarked Delanco Fire Chief Ron Holt, who has stopped by the site virtually every day since it burned down Labor Day weekend. 

Dietz & Watson spokesman Steve Aaron said the company's main priority right now is removing the spoiled meat from the area, as well as communicating with residents regarding their progress.

"It's creating a very unpleasant smell for people who have to live and work in that community," he said. 

Aaron said there are about 18 trucks on site, filling up and running continuous loops between the facility and nearby landfills from 7 a.m. till close. The cleanup started with crews just running loads to the Burlington County landfill, but a second has since been added, though Aaron was unsure where it's located.

He said 101 truckloads of food and debris left the site Tuesday, bringing the total to more than 200 truckloads removed since cleanup began at the end of last week. 

Aaron was unable to say how long cleanup would take however. 

"It's difficult to answer," he said. 

Holt said the number of hot spots have been minimized. Firefighters spent several hours at the site Sunday and a couple hours Monday night dousing flare-ups, but have not had to return since, he said. "Most of it's just smoldering."

Holt said the Burlington County Health Department has been monitoring the site daily and reports no air quality or health issues. 

The investigation into the cause of the blaze continues, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives taking the lead, according to Holt. Arson was ruled out early on. 

Several avenues exist for residents seeking information and updates about the progress at the site, including a Twitter feed (@DelancoCleanup) updated several times a day; a 24-hour hotline (215-668-9749); and an email address, delancocleanup@dietzandwatson.com.