Officials continue to investigate the cause of a building explosion in Logan Township, New Jersey, that left several people hospitalized.
The explosion occurred on Wednesday, March 4, at 2:36 p.m. at the Savita Naturals building on the 600 block of Heron Drive.
The impact of the explosion was felt throughout Gloucester County and the entire tri-state area, rattling homes, shaking windows and sending debris flying over a half a mile away.
“It almost seemed like a tractor trailer hit the house, it shook so bad,” Dave Thompson, who works near the facility, told NBC10. “I just like jumped out of my seat. It was that quick. And then when we ran outside, we heard the explosion over there. And then by that time all the fire trucks showed up.”
Officials say four workers were critically hurt and taken to nearby hospitals after an explosion happened at a Savita Naturals building in Logan Township.
Four employees who were inside the facility were injured during the explosion and taken to area hospitals. They were all listed in critical condition. A fifth person in a nearby facility also experienced a medical emergency and was taken to the hospital.
Officials also revealed on Thursday that three other people went to local hospitals for treatment.
The owners of Savita Naturals believe that everyone who was at the facility is accounted for and investigators don’t believe anyone is missing.
A shelter-in-place was ordered for residents and businesses in a two-mile radius near the explosion along Heron Drive and High Hill Road as air monitoring was conducted at and near the facility.
No hazards were detected in the air and the shelter-in-place was lifted shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Fire and hazmat crews remained at the scene on Thursday to monitor a burn off of additional fuel stored at the site. The controlled burn could take several days to complete, officials said. Air monitoring in the area also continues.
The explosion caused extensive damage to the Savita Naturals facility as well as an adjacent building. There were also several reports of damage to buildings as far as one mile away from the facility, officials said.
Savita Naturals is a company that processes cocoa butter for the chocolate industry and a large amount of propane is stored at the facility. Officials have not yet determined a cause for the explosion, however.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was notified and are involved in the investigation, which remains active. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also said she was briefed of the explosion and that the state is working closely with local officials.
I’ve been briefed on the building explosion in Swedesboro in Gloucester County.
The New Jersey State Police are on the scene and they’re working closely with county emergency management officials and local first responders.
We are actively supporting with resource…
— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) March 5, 2026