ABINGTON — A colossal commercial building fire forced the closure of several schools and suspended public transit as firefighters continue to extinguish the flames on Tuesday morning, the Abington Township Police Department said.
Fire officials said in an early morning press conference that the fire is under control, but still smoldering and not yet out as hundreds of firefighters from 68 different fire departments battled the blaze overnight at SPS Technologies, located at 301 Highland Ave. in Abington Township. No injuries were reported.
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Multiple crews responded to the scene around 9:30 p.m. Monday, according to police. The building was then evacuated and the employees inside were accounted for. Fire officials estimated there were 60 people inside the building at the time of the fire. SPS Technologies makes fasteners and supplies aerospace-related products and has been in the area since 1920, according to the company’s website. Officials also noted the company is a significant employer to much of the area.
“Witness statements indicated that there was an explosion within the building and flames could be seen inside the warehouse structure,” Abington Township police said in a statement.
Area residents and business owners should avoid the area as local and county public safety and emergency management officials implemented a shelter-in-place order for all those in a 1-mile radius of the business. The Abington, Cheltenham and Jenkintown school districts, as well as private schools in the area were closed on Tuesday, according to police.
Abington police cited “smoke and particulates from this fire is filtering across the area” as the reason for added precautions.“Hazmat crews are continually monitoring air quality in the area and advised that any residence or business within a 1-mile radius of this location remain closed until further notice,” police said.
Additionally, SEPTA Regional Rail service along the Lansdale/Doylestown, Warminster and West Trenton lines were suspended “due to the fire near [the] Jenkintown Station,” according to the transportation agency’s website. It’s unclear when operations will resume.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
Source: Berkshire mont
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