SPS Technologies Reveals Cause Of Massive Fire

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — SPS Technologies has revealed the cause of the massive fire that destroyed its building in mid-February, blaming it on an explosion inside a compressed air system.

The company held a community meeting on Thursday night to share its future plans following the fire that destroyed its 600,000-square-foot building.

SPS Technologies officials said the fire sparked on Feb. 17 as 60 employees were working in the factory for the company that produces aerospace fasteners and fittings. No employees were injured, and everyone was able to evacuate.

The company told those gathered at the meeting that 80 percent of the building was destroyed, township officials said. Dozens of residents and officials attended the meeting at Abington Middle School.

SPS Technologies officials said the fire started after an explosion inside a compressed air system.

Township resident Joseph Rooney, who attended the meeting, said that company officials also said that a fire suppression system was being rebuilt and inoperable at the time of the fire.

The company said the explosion was captured on video. SPS Technologies officials said they did not know what caused the explosion.

The Abington Township Fire Marshal has yet to issue a report on its investigation.

Over 70 area fire companies responded to the fire, which took days to extinguish and caused numerous community meetings, soil, air, and water testings, and closed key roadways.

SPS Technologies also discussed plans to build a state-of-the-art aerospace fasterners facility at its location on Highland Avenue.

Abington officials had reported in early August that the demolition of the building was "ahead of schedule."

The demolition started in mid-May, three months after the massive fire at the Highland Avenue building fought by over 70 fire companies.

One month after the fire, SPS Technologies announced it was laying off half of its 500-person workforce.

The average SPS Technologies employee has worked at the company for 25 years and was offered four weeks of compensation, officials said.