Evacuation notice lifted in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania after fire at Abington's SPS Technologies
Evacuation notices and a shelter-in-place order near the SPS Technologies fire in Abington, Pennsylvania were lifted Wednesday as crews continue to fight the remnants of the fire, investigate environmental concerns and plan to demolish parts of the site, officials said.
The notices were lifted at 11 a.m. allowing residents back in their homes. For Regional Rail commuters, closed SEPTA stations in the area have reopened.
Flames burst from the longstanding facility, which produces steel fasteners and other parts for the aviation and aerospace industries, on Monday night. On Wednesday, crews remained on the scene working to suppress the fire and have been working with a chemist to make sure any chemicals used in the production process do not go up in flames or leach into the air.
Officials did not rule out the possibility of another flare-up but expressed confidence in the "unrelenting" fire crews to keep that possibility at bay.
As of Thursday, there are still hotspots in the 600,000-square-foot building that crews have not been able to fully reach.
"Chemicals of concern" detected in creek near SPS Technologies site
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection tested water in the Tookany Creek and found small quantities of "chemicals of concern" immediately downstream of the facility. There are no drinking water intakes in that area and the water will be sampled again.
"Samples taken from the Delaware River did not detect any chemicals of concern. At this time, drinking water supplies are not at risk," Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy said.
Air quality has not been impacted by the fire either, officials say.
The City of Philadelphia said residents weren't exposed to chemicals or toxic air due to the fire at SPS Technologies. According to inspectors at the Health Department's Air Management Services division, the city collected an air sample from the vicinity of the fire that showed no toxic compounds that would threaten the health of humans.
The Philadelphia Water Department has also collected samples from creeks along the Delaware River. The city says the results haven't indicated any concerns with the quality of drinking water at the Baxter Water Treatment Plant. The city will continue testing for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Some neighbors who are returning to the area say they feel uneasy.
"I'm exhausted," said Anne Kane, who lives just behind the building.
Though the EPA has deemed the current conditions of drinking water and air quality safe, Kane says she's cautious.
"I won't drink the water. I have my own bottled water. I'll wait and see," Kane said. "But they said the air quality's OK; I trust them."
The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania said a shelter at the Cheltenham High School in Wyncote is now closed. The Red Cross urges residents to call Abington Township at 610-635-4300 if they need help to re-enter their homes.
Why evacuation, shelter-in-place were issued after fire and why they're being lifted
Orders to shelter-in-place were made as officials at multiple levels of government and public safety were "all erring on the side of protecting our citizens," Molloy added.
Jenkintown police chief Tom Scott said hazmat teams and other crews will be at schools in the town to clear the buildings and make sure they will be safely accessible for students.
Schools near the fire have been closed for the past two days out of an abundance of caution, but the Abington and Cheltenham School Districts said that all schools and offices were cleared to open on Thursday.
"This is going to be a long-term operation for the Abington community as well as the Jenkintown community and Cheltenham ... all three are within very close proximity," Scott said. "We are monitoring around the initial site and into the surrounding communities."
Scott noted that shelter-in-place orders could return if the fire flares up again. However, officials are confident crews have a handle on the smoldering parts at this point.
Because the building is so large, fire hoses stationed away from the building don't have a long enough stream to reach hot spots around the center. Demolition efforts will help make those hotspots more accessible for the hoses.
How to keep up with the latest on SPS Technologies fire
A webpage has been set up for residents to monitor the latest on the situation at SPS Technologies — that webpage is AbingtonPa.gov/SPSUpdates.
Dozens of fire companies from around Pennsylvania have responded to the scene and worked to suppress the flames and any smoldering remnants, Abington Fire Marshal Chris Platz said. Crews have been working through the cold winter nights.
"They've been there throughout the entire night, freezing. When I got there this morning, I saw them shivering. It's something that we are extremely appreciative of what they're doing," Platz said Wednesday.
The SPS facility has been in Abington for generations and people all over the area have worked there, Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean, who is from Glenside and represents the area in the House, said at the news conference.
Dean said the building is likely a total loss. Platz said it's still too early to tell what caused the fire.
"These teams are working for you and they're working extremely hard. And they're going to be here for weeks and months potentially, and continue to be supportive and answer all your questions," Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said.
Dean said SPS is part of a key American industry and she will do what she can in Congress to ensure the company rebuilds here.
"I'm going to fight ... to see whatever resources we can get to make sure SPS and the jobs stay here if it is at all possible, and I think with partners like this here we're going to be able to do it," said Dean, who was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee in January.
