Abington Twp. Fire: Shelter In Place, Evacuation Orders Lifted

Updated: 10:40 a.m. Wednesday

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —While the massive fire at SPS Technologies smolders, officials announced Wednesday morning that evacuations and shelter-in-place orders are being lifted.

As of Wednesday morning, the fire at SPS Technologies on 301 Highland Avenue remains active and investigations are ongoing, but officials said they believe residents can return to their homes and that businesses closed since the fire on Monday night can reopen.

A temporary evacuation order was issued Tuesday afternoon for those living near the warehouse remains in effect along with a shelter-in-place order for residents and businesses within a 1-mile radius.

Officials said the orders will be lifted at 11 a.m.

At a press conference Wednesday morning at the Abington Township Municipal Building, officials declared a "disaster emergency" and said that demolition efforts on the building will begin but that air quality and drinking water are safe at this time.

Officials said the evacuations and shelter-in-place orders could return if conditions from the fire change.

All residents are still asked to avoid the area.

The Glenside, Jenkintown, and Noble SEPTA regional rail stations are now open as well, officials said.

"This is all good news," Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy said.

Jenkintown Police Chief Thomas Scott said that officials are working to reopen Jenkintown schools that have been closed for two days from the fire.

Previous updates:

At the press conference, officials said that the factory did have a sprinkler system, but it was out of service because of a maintenance issue.

Officials credited SPS Technologies with following the right precautions by having a fire watch in place and keeping a fire brigade in the building, allowing 60 workers to evacuate without injury.

Emergency personnel continue to work around the clock to ensure public safety, officials said.

Abington, Jenkintown, and Cheltenham schools remain closed on Wednesday.

The air quality continues to be monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is on-site, working with local hazmat teams to monitor air quality, water runoff, and hazardous materials for public health risks and performing water sampling.

Thus far, no threats to public health or safety have been detected, officials said.

"This is a large emergency response with many responding agencies, fire companies and police departments," officials said. "We thank all of our federal, state, county and municipal partners for their mutual aid and assistance. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our residents and business community and your outpouring of support."

Nearly 70 fire companies in Montgomery County and the Philadelphia region battled the four-alarm fire after the warehouse exploded at 9:35 p.m. Monday.

The shelter-in-place order for Arcadia University now only applies to those within one mile of the SPS site, which puts Arcadia’s Glenside campus (other than 125 Royal Ave.) outside of the zone of concern, school officials said.

Campus operations will resume on Wednesday on a staggered basis with classes fully remote.

"In an abundance of caution, we encourage individuals to minimize their time outdoors, to keep windows and doors closed, and to avoid driving within one mile of the SPS site, if possible," school officials said.

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