On February 25, the Department of Environmental Protection posted environmental testing results from the SPS Technologies fire in Montgomery County online today.

Results show that air quality is at normal levels and drinking water supplies are not contaminated.

DEP has been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Philadelphia Water Department to conduct air and water quality monitoring around the site – to date, drinking water supplies are not at risk and testing from both the Philadelphia Water Department  and DEP show no contamination in the Delaware River.

Air quality monitors from the EPA have not detected any chemicals of concern in the air outside of the facility.

DEP and EPA will continue to monitor air and water quality. View the most up to date testing information on DEP’s website for this incident.

"DEP personnel have been on-site every day since the fire began to monitor water quality, oversee emergency response efforts, and assist firefighters as needed. Sampling results by DEP show no concern for drinking water safety from the fire, and the department is working closely with SPS on the site's cleanup," said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "Moving forward, DEP will conduct inspections of storage tanks, ensure proper disposal of debris, and continue collaborating with SPS on the site's long-term plans.”

SPS Technologies is a manufacturing company that produces fasteners and other materials for the aviation industry.

When the fire broke out on February 17, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and DEP both dispatched emergency response personnel to the scene to help monitor environmental impacts and to assist the county and municipality as needed. 

Governor Shapiro has been actively engaged with local authorities and leaders in Abington.

On Saturday, February 22, Governor Shapiro and PEMA Director Randy Padfield met with first responders and leaders from Montgomery County, Abington Township, and SPS Technologies to continue to thank them for their work to keep Pennsylvanians safe and to offer help and resources as needed.

“Incidents like the one at this facility can quickly become more complicated due to the nature of the materials used onsite,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “Quickly establishing the coordination among state, county and local leadership and responders was essential to protecting both lives and property in the surrounding area.”

PEMA staff continues to work with the county to assess any ongoing recovery needs for businesses or individuals that may have been impacted by the evacuation order, and are working with the county to assess any unmet needs from the first responders for equipment that may have been damaged or contaminated during the firefighting operations.    

DEP Emergency Response Team personnel remain on site. SPS is actively pumping water used to put out the fire into holding tanks to prevent any material from entering Tookany Creek.

The wastewater treatment facility on site is still operational and unaffected by the fire, and will be utilized to treat the fire water before it is sent to PWD for disposal.

There remain no concerns for air quality or drinking water.

The fire has been extinguished. Once emergency response operations are fully demobilized and the building cleared for entry, DEP will initiate follow-up inspections.

Both DEP and DEP-certified third-party inspectors will assess the facility's storage tanks, ensure the proper disposal of any remaining chemicals and debris, supervise the removal of asbestos, and collaborate with SPS on the development of future plans for the site.

For updates on any guidance from local authorities and information about help for affected Pennsylvanians, please visit Abington Township’s website for this incident.

Visit DEP’s SPS Technologies webpage for more information.

Click Here for DEP’s announcement.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

NewsClips:

-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: DEP Testing Finds Cyanide In Tookany Creek After SPS Technologies Fire In Montgomery County

-- Inquirer: Inside Mostly Volunteer Firefighters’ Grueling Effort To Battle SPS Technologies Industrial Fire In Montgomery County

-- KYW: Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against SPS Technologies Following Massive Fire In Montgomery County

[Posted: February 25, 2025]

3/3/2025