SPS Technologies fire: Air quality concerns prompt voluntary evacuations
SPS Technologies fire causes evacuations, school closings and suspended SEPTA lines
From school closings to suspended SEPTA lines, officials and residents address the aftermath of the massive fire at SPS Technologies in Abingtown Township.
JENKINTOWN, Pa. - Crews are still working more than a day later to fully extinguish a massive fire that engulfed a large factory in Montgomery County Monday night.
No injuries have been reported so far, but officials say dozens of employees were inside the SPS Technologies factory when it went up in flames.
Air quality concerns caused officials to issue a shelter-in-place order that closed local schools and businesses.
The Abington Township Emergency Operations Center and Jenintown Emergency Management advised residents on some streets to voluntarily evacuate.
What we know:
SKYFOX was live over the scene on the 300 block of Highland Avenue Monday night after a fire and explosion were reported around 10 p.m.
Heavy amounts of smoke and flames were seen coming from the roof of a warehouse that houses SPS Technologies, a producer of metal components and fasteners.
Officials say 60 employees were inside at the time, but they were all safely evacuated with no injuries.
Nearly 70 different fire companies from around the area responded as a fourth alarm was declared by 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Smoke was seen rising from the warehouse late Tuesday morning amid reports that part of the fire reignited.
SKYFOX: Large fire at SPS Technologies in Abington Twp.
Crews are tackling a large fire that broke out at SPS Technologies in Abington Township Monday night.
What's next:
The fire was still burning as of 7 a.m. Tuesday as crews remain on scene to keep it contained inside the building.
On Tuesday, officials announced that all schools in the Abington and Jenkintown school districts, along with any businesses within a 1-mile radius were closed for the day.
Abington, Jenkintown and Cheltenham school districts also announced their schools will be closed for Wednesday, February 19 as first responders tend to the aftermath.
SPS Technologies fire: Air quality concerns prompt evacuations
A massive fire at SPS Technologies factory building in Abington Township Monday has caused schools to close Wednesday and residents have been advised to leave the area until air quality conditions improve. Here's the latest update.
A shelter-in-place was also ordered for the surrounding area as hazmat crews monitor air quality and runoff water due to chemicals present inside the warehouse.
Hours later, the Abington Township Emergency Operations Center and Jenkintown Emergency Management issued a voluntary evacuation order for some residents.
Officials shared a map that outlined the evacuation zone. They said "changing conditions and concerns of air quality" prompted them to issue the voluntary alert.
- Stewart Avenue
- Runnymede Avenue
- Florence Ave between Runnymede Ave and West Avenue
- Highland Ave between Hillside Ave and West Avenue
- Rodman Ave between Walnut St and Runnymede Ave
- Hillside Ave between Florence Ave and Walnut St
- Myrtle Ave between Runnymede Ave and Rodman Ave
All residents outside the evacuation area, but within one mile of SPS Technologies, are asked to continue to shelter-in-place.
The American Red Cross will open a shelter at Cheltenham High School, 500 Rices Mill Road in Wyncote, for those who wish to evacuate the area.
As of Tuesday night, officials said the fire is still ‘active.’
What we don't know:
The cause of the fire, including where it started, is still not known, and it is unclear when the fire will be completely put out.
Although the fire remains active, officials say it is contained as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The Source: The information in this story is from SKYFOX and Jenkintown police.