A fire engulfed SPS Technologies’ fastener manufacturing facility in suburban Philadelphia on February 17. As roughly 100 firefighters battled the blaze, officials closed schools and ordered residents within a mile radius to shelter-in-place.

SPS Technologies’ owner PCC Fasteners stated that the fire “significantly damaged the facility,” and likely started with an electrical transformer inside the 600,000 sq ft plant. All 60 employees on site safely evacuated, and there were no immediate reports of injuries.

“We are still working to assess the damage,” PCC Fasteners said. “The plant will be offline for the foreseeable future.”

The factory's sprinkler system was reportedly out of service because of a maintenance issue, local officials stated.

The aerospace fastener manufacturer “employs high-temperature forging, fine metal powder milling, and chemical electroplating to craft superalloy-based products,” R&D World reports. “These hazardous-material processes had faced prior EPA citations for waste management lapses.”

The fire gutted a warehouse vital for specialized fasteners, R&D reports.

“Beyond disruption, it exposes limits in managing fine powder ignition and hydrogen gas risks.”

SPS representatives told local officials that most of the chemicals of concern were stored in a separate building that was not destroyed in the explosion or fire, stated Abington Township Police Chief Patrick Molloy.

"The tactical response from our firefighters prevented what could have been a mass casualty incident," Molloy said.

In 2023, SPS Technologies reportedly paid a $109,000 fine to the EPA for failing to properly dispose of and store hazardous waste, as well as failure to have a clear contingency plan for evacuation.

Founded in 1903 as Standard Pressed Steel Co., SPS operates under Precision Castparts Corp., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary since 2016. SPS crafts aerospace bolts, nuts, and components using superalloys.

Read the full R&D World article here.