Even with the fire at SPS Technologies in Abington largely under control as of Wednesday morning, Abington Township Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas McAneney declined to guess how long it will take to clean up the property.
“It’s a series of old buildings, some dating back 100 years,” said McAneney. “It’s going to be a work in progress.”
The fire, which began Monday evening with an explosion, seemed to be suppressed on Tuesday morning, only to flare up again, filling the sky with thick black smoke.
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place recommendation, which they later changed to an evacuation recommendation for the homes on nearby streets. Because of the wind direction, those homes lay mostly in Jenkintown, rather than in Glenside.
A drone photo of the SPS fire site. (Courtesy of the Abington Police Department)
But both orders were rescinded as of 11 a.m. Wednesday. While schools in Jenkintown, Abington and Cheltenham remained closed on Wednesday, the Jenkintown SEPTA station reopened, and train service resumed.
“We also understand the frustration our residents are experiencing with the ongoing order to shelter in place,” said Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy. “We appreciate their patience.” These “difficult decisions” were made “all erring on the side of protecting our citizens.”
Jenkintown Police Chief Tom Scott said a large contingent of law enforcement came into the borough to help with the evacuations and keep the empty houses safe.
“Obviously, the shelter-in-place and evacuation were a big impact on our community. We wanted to be sure we did it right,” said Scott. “We are working to get that building cleared today. There’s a hazmat team from Delaware County. We will continue to monitor that site. That will not stop, weeks or a month from now. This is going to be a long-term operation.”
A flare-up could happen again, he said.
Abington Fire Marshal Chris Platz said, the investigation into the cause of the fire continues. The buildings are some 600,000 square feet, he said, and the entire property is 32 acres.
“It’s going to be a long process. I wish we had some answers,” Platz said. “Our suppression is going on nonstop.” Firefighters worked “throughout the entire night.” People from SPS have been with them, assisting, he said.
But the fire was not officially suppressed yet, he said on Wednesday morning.
Township officials knew various chemicals were inside and had trained with SPS officials routinely. They knew where the chemicals were stored and aimed water on those spots to stop them from igniting, he said.
Molloy read a statement from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) saying they remain on site. They’ve conducted air and water sampling.
“Low levels of chemicals of concern were found in Tookany Creek,” he said. But “samples taken from the Delaware River do not detect any chemicals of concern. At this time, drinking water supplies are not at risk.”
The DEP did not respond Wednesday when DVJournal asked which chemicals were found in Tookany Creek.
The creek and the river will continue to be monitored. And nothing of concern was detected in the air and the DEP and EPA will continue monitoring it. He noted environmental safety and hazards posed by the chemicals at the factory, which made bolts and fasteners for the aviation industry, were residents’ main concerns.
SPS was founded as Standard Pressed Steel in the early 1900s. It was subject to EPA’s Corrective Action Program, according to a 2015 report.
Congresswoman Madeleine Dean and Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello praised the firefighters who battled the blaze amid frigid and windy conditions.
Dean grew up in Glenside and her father-in-law worked at SPS during World War II.
“Generations have worked there,” she said. She thanked the firefighters from more 60 fire departments who are “largely volunteers.”
“Putting themselves at risk for our health and safety, protection of life, protection of property,” said Dean. “Our community is so darn proud of everything you have done.”
She noted ATF and EPA were involved. “This is an ongoing very serious situation and it is our responsibility to work together,” said Dean.
DiBello noted neighboring counties have also helped, as well as Montgomery County’s hazmat emergency management teams. “The support is incredible. I want to thank all the volunteers.”
To the affected residents, DiBello said, “Keep in mind these teams are working very hard. They’re working for you.”
Asked if SPS might move away, Dean said, “These are really very important jobs, important for national security.” She said she would work to keep the company, which employs about 200 people, here. DiBello also said the county is going to do whatever it can to keep SPS here.
Asked about the lack of volunteer firefighters, Dean said she fights for programs to encourage volunteer firefighters. DiBello said the county had passed an ordinance to give volunteer firefighters a tax rebate.
“We desperately need them,” said DiBello. “When a fire happens, people run away, but volunteer firefighters run toward it.”
If residents find debris in their yards, they should call 911 and not handle it.
For updates on the SPS situation residents can check a new township website. Molloy also asked everyone to sign up for www.readymontco.org, to get county alerts.
