By Anthony J. Machcinski/The Jersey Journal

A small fire near a local recycling facility in North Bergen has nearby residents concerned about their safety.

The fire occurred around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday at an underground transformer in front of the Eagle Recycling facility on Dell Avenue near 48th Street.

According to North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue officials, the fire was caused by a short to the transformer and was extinguished within 20 minutes.

Power was shut off to the immediate area until about 2 a.m. yesterday while public service employees repaired the transformer, officials said. While the fire occurred in front of the building, NHR&R officials said „that Eagle Recycling was not to blame for the fire.

However, despite that disclaimer, local residents are angry over what they call "yet another" incident at the facility.

"You would think that by now that town, county, state and federal officials would come down to the realization that this facility is poorly run and endangering our health," said 43rd Street resident Janice Zorovich.

North Bergen Concerned Citizens Group attorney Mario Blanch added: "Eagle Recycling has been a menace to this community for years and yet the township allows them to remain in operation as they endanger the health of nearby residents."

While this fire was not inside Eagle's facility, the company has a history of issues that have angered local residents.

Last month, a worker lost six fingers in a conveyer belt accident.

The facility was closed in October after a two-alarm fire. According to a township spokesman, the plant was issued a $100,000 fine and assessed several safety violations.

In April 2011, the company's owners pleaded guilty in federal court to dumping 8,100 tons of debris, including asbestos, in New York and then attempting to destroy documents to conceal the action.

Eagle officials failed to return calls seeking comment yesterday.