Tuesday, March 3, 2015

MASSIVE FIRE AT TRICO METAL PRODUCTS SHEET METAL FACTORY AFTER REPORTED EXPLOSION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA










MARCH 3, 2015

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA

Heavy flames and plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles Monday as firefighters battled a massive, explosive fire at a Montgomery County sheet metal plant.

The five-alarm fire began at Trico Metal Products, a sheet metal fabricator business on the 2300 block of Wyandotte Road in Upper Moreland, Pa., around 5:20 p.m. Officials said there were reports of an explosion prior to the blaze.

A front wall and back wall of the facility collapsed as numerous explosions from overheated compressed gas cylinders inside the plant put responding firefighters at risk.

"There are no hazardous materials or anything that affected the community," said Willow Grove Fire Chief Brian Focht. "However, as a danger to firefighters there were multiple explosions and a building collapse."

The entire building as well as surrounding businesses and homes were evacuated. No injuries were reported.