It’s been all hands on deck, as 68 area fire companies responded to a major, four-alarm fire at SPS Technologies that started at around 9:30 p.m. Monday. Parts of the building were still burning by late afternoon Tuesday, and thick black smoke was seen rising after a flare up.
The company at 301 Highland Avenue, formerly Standard Press Steel, makes bolts and fasteners for airplanes at its 560,000-square-foot facility. A spokesperson for the company did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Witnesses told firefighters there was an explosion within the building. Several more explosions were heard coming from the plant. Flames could be seen shooting from it.
All 60 employees immediately fled the building. No one was injured. Officials said a sprinkler system was not working.
Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy speaks at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The scene is still active, and officials asked residents to avoid the area. Later, police set up a perimeter to keep would-be onlookers out.
“We thought we had this fire under control, but we continued suppression efforts until about 10:30 this morning,” said Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “When you look at the size of this building, some 500,000 square feet, and multi-layers, the difficulty to access, our firefighters out in that weather, it’s very difficult for them to completely extinguish this fire.”
Chemists from SPS worked with township and state officials to identify the chemicals present. Molloy said the company uses “harsh chemicals” during its processes of making items for the aeronautical industry.
At 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Abington officials asked residents and businesses in the area to voluntarily evacuate to the Cheltenham High School auditorium because the smoky air had become too dangerous. Some 247 homes on Stewart Avenue; Runnymede Avenue; Florence Avenue between Runnymede Avenue and West Avenue; Highland Avenue between Hillside Ave and West Avenue; Rodman Avenue between Walnut Street and Runnymede Avenue; Hillside Avenue between Florence Avenue and Walnut Street; and Myrtle Avenue between Runnymede Avenue and Rodman Avenue. Those are mostly in Jenkintown because of how the wind was blowing. Emergency responders were going door-to-door to assist residents, who were told to bring two days of prescription medications or medical devices, identification, a change of clothes, food, plus food, and leashes for their pets.
Those within a mile of the fire but not on the streets marked for evacuation were asked to continue sheltering in place.
Molloy said the state Department of Environmental Protection and hazmat officials gave them a time window for when it would be safe to evacuate. He noted that while police cannot force people to evacuate, many did after learning the risks of remaining.
At the direction of the Abington Fire Marshal, Montgomery County Hazmat Team and the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, the Abington School District, Jenkintown School District and all private and parochial schools were closed on Tuesday. Jenkintown schools are closed again on Wednesday.
Nearby residents were told to continue to monitor the township website, social media, and news outlets for updates.
The Abington Township Police Detective Division, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the township Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the blaze. Hazmat crews and the state DEP are monitoring the air and water near the fire site. The City of Philadelphia also sent inspectors to gather air quality samples after complaints from the Fox Chase section. However, no hazardous substances were found in that area.
The Hopewell Veterinary Clinic offered to board dogs, cats or other small pets for people who needed to evacuate. It can be reached at (215) 379-2536.
