Fire was roughly 750 yards behind the Farm Barn on the property. Watch video
HILLSBOROUGH -- Duke Farms and its nesting eagles were safe from the massive fire at the Veterans Industrial Park that continued to burn into Friday afternoon.
The fire, which started just before 3 p.m. on Thursday and raced through two large warehouse buildings on Route 206, is at least two miles away from the eagles and 750 yards behind the Farm Barn, said Nora Wagner, director of programs at Duke Farms.
The female eagle is expected to hatch her first egg any day now, Wagner said. The first egg was hatched on Feb. 16 last year, she said.
Sprinklers, hydrants outdated at fire site
"I think the eagles are OK," said Wagner. "In fact, we should have our first egg of 2016 any day now. The eagles are on the opposite end of the property from the fire and the wind is blowing in an entirely different direction. They're safe."
Michael Catania, executive director of the Duke Farms Foundation, said he closed the property on Friday as a precaution. He said on Thursday approximately 200 people came to watch the fire and he didn't want that situation to happen Friday.
Catania said he was told by health inspectors that the air quality is fine, but he's concerned about the water.
"We did get a call from a local health inspector and everything is OK," said Catania. "But we're going to check back tomorrow with the EPA and make sure there's no water contamination from the run off of the fire. We're on a slight incline so we should be OK."
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.