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Explosions and Fire at 5 Alarmer in Collingdale
On Wednesday, September 1st, Springfield Fire Company was dispatched at 1247 hours as the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) on the Box Alarm to 301 North Oak Lane, Scully Welding Supply Company, Collingdale, for a Building Fire. Delaware County's 911 Center was hit with endless 911 calls from all around the area reporting explosions and fire in the area of Oak Avenue. Chief 75-9 (Briarcliffe) gave an initial report of a major emergency at the Scully Welding Supply Company. Firefighters from the initial Box Alarm were encountered with an out of control propane feed fire with hundreds of exploding pressurized tanks.
Firefighters from Rescue 44 initially established a RIT presence on the Oak Avenue side of the incident, until the point where fire personnel were evacuated from the immediate area. Crews from Rescue 44 and Engine 44-4 maintained a RIT presence during the entire incident. Crews remained on scene till 2400hrs.
During the height of the incident, 5 alarms were dispatched to assist with the operation and evacuations. Mutual aid brought in companies from all around Delaware County, the City of Philadelphia, Boeing, and Montgomery County, as well as aerial surveillance views of the incident provided intitally by News helicopters and then by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Due to the efforts of hundreds of emergency responders, there were only a few minor injuries from the initial blasts and some minor injuries sustained by firefighters due to the high weather temperature during the incident.
The incident was finally declared under control Friday morning, September 3rd at 9000 hours.
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| photo from wpvi.com |
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