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.