A massive fire has erupted at a major aerospace plant in Pennsylvania, according to reports.
Schools were closed and residents were ordered to shelter in place as authorities battled the blaze on Tuesday night.
The large fire broke out at an aerospace manufacturer’s facility in a town north of Philadelphia, officials said.
The fire broke out at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, the Abington Township Police Department said in a statement on social media.
Witnesses said there was an explosion and flames could be seen inside the warehouse.
The building was evacuated, all employees were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
SPS Technologies describes itself as a developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of a line of aerospace fasteners and precision components.
The Abington and Jenkintown school districts and all private and parochial schools will remain shuttered on Wednesday.
The shelter-in-place order initially was in effect until the incident was under control because smoke and particulates from the fire were filtering across the area, officials said.
The fire also triggered evacuation orders.
Residents and businesses in the immediate area near the plant—roughly 700 people—were asked to voluntarily evacuate on Tuesday evening “while conditions permit.”
They were told to evacuate because of concerns over air quality.
Hazmat crews were monitoring air quality and advised all businesses within a 1-mile radius to remain closed until further notice.
Videos have emerged that highlight the scale of the huge inferno.
WATCH:
The evacuation shelter is set up at the Cheltenham High School’s auditorium, located at 500 Rices Mill Road in Wyncote.
If transportation is needed, residents can call 610-635-4300.
Residents have been asked to bring two days’ worth of belongings.
For evacuees with pets, Hopewell Veterinary Hospital is offering free boarding.
The fire broke out around 9:43 p.m. Monday at SPS Technologies, located on the 300 block of Highland Avenue in Montgomery County.
Black smoke could still be seen billowing out of the building Tuesday, more than 13 hours after the first alarm.
Officials said 68 different fire companies in the area responded to the scene.
Aqua, SEPTA, as well as Pennsylvania and federal EPA officials are on site.
Departments of public safety from Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties also responded.
“We had concerns that if some of the chemicals were to mix, it could form arsenic which could get in the air and in the smoke that’s coming off the fire,” said Abington Fire Chief Mike Jones.
“We do know that they use very harsh chemicals in the aeronautical engineering process of making bolts and fasteners,” added Chief Molloy.
“So out of an abundance of caution, we made that decision to self-evacuate.”
The City of Philadelphia said officials are also monitoring the air quality from the fire event.
“It could be weeks before you see the effect of this type of exposure,” explained Dr. Jamie Garfield, a Temple Health pulmonologist.
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