Industrial Fire at SPS Technologies in Abington Township Draws Major Response

February 20, 2025

The fire erupted at SPS Technologies on Highland Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on Monday. The fire escalated to a four-alarm emergency by 1 a.m., prompting nearly 70 fire companies, predominantly volunteer-based, to respond overnight.

Chief Molloy reported that approximately 60 employees were inside when the fire began, but fortunately, all managed to evacuate safely, and no injuries were reported among either employees or first responders.

By Wednesday morning, officials confirmed that emergency crews were still actively working at the scene to ensure public safety. Firefighters faced additional challenges due to freezing temperatures, which created icy conditions around the site.

The size of the building—spanning roughly 500,000 square feet and with multiple levels—makes accessibility a significant challenge. The extreme weather conditions and the nature of the structure make it difficult to fully extinguish the fire.

By Tuesday morning, the fire was largely contained in the building’s center, though later in the day, officials observed a resurgence of flames, with black smoke rising from the facility.

On Tuesday afternoon, Abington Township officials issued a voluntary evacuation advisory for residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity due to shifting conditions and concerns about air quality.

Abington Township has issued a Disaster Emergency declaration, granting emergency management personnel the authority to take all necessary actions to mitigate the effects of the fire, restore essential services, and implement emergency response measures.

Authorities do not suspect foul play but are actively investigating the fire’s cause.

Hazmat teams and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continue to conduct air quality tests, all of which have yielded favourable results so far. However, officials stress that residents should remain cautious and heed safety advisories.

SPS Technologies specializes in manufacturing metal components for the aerospace and defense industries. The company’s processes involve chemicals, and firefighters prioritized preventing the flames from reaching hazardous materials. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is working with multiple agencies to assess air quality risks.

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