Major Blaze at Pennsylvania Aerospace Facility Leads to Shelter-in-Place Directive and Evacuations

February 19, 2025 TruthUSA

JENKINTOWN, Pa.—Officials announced the closure of schools and issued a shelter-in-place order on Tuesday following a significant fire that erupted at an aerospace manufacturing facility in a suburb located north of Philadelphia.

The incident occurred at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Monday. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion, with flames visible within the warehouse, according to a statement from the Abington Township Police Department shared on social media. The building was evacuated, all employees were successfully accounted for, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.

SPS Technologies is known as a developer, manufacturer, and global provider of aerospace fasteners and precise components.

As a precaution, the school districts of Abington and Jenkintown, along with all private and parochial institutions, were closed on Tuesday and are expected to remain closed on Wednesday.

The shelter-in-place directive was initially set to last until the situation was under control due to smoke and particulates from the blaze affecting the surrounding area. However, late Tuesday afternoon, residents and businesses in the vicinity—approximately 700 individuals—were encouraged to evacuate voluntarily “while conditions permit” amid air quality concerns.

Hazmat teams have been overseeing air quality levels and have recommended that businesses within a 1-mile range remain closed until further notice.