Massive fire at Pennsylvania aerospace plant prompts shelter-in-place order, evacuations

JENKINTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Schools were closed and residents were ordered to shelter-in-place Tuesday after a large fire broke out at an aerospace manufacturer’s facility in a town north of Philadelphia, officials said.

The fire broke out at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown around 9:30 p.m. Monday. Witnesses said there was an explosion and flames could be seen inside the warehouse, the Abington Township Police Department said in a statement on social media. The building was evacuated, all employees were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

SPS Technologies describes itself as a developer, manufacturer and global supplier of a line of aerospace fasteners and precision components.

The Abington and Jenkintown school districts and all private and parochial schools were closed Tuesday and will remain shuttered on Wednesday.

The shelter-in-place order initially was in effect until the incident was under control because smoke and particulates from the fire were filtering across the area, officials said. But residents and businesses in the immediate area near the plant — roughly 700 people — were asked to voluntarily evacuate late Tuesday afternoon “while conditions permit” because of concerns over air quality.

Hazmat crews were monitoring air quality and advised all businesses within a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius to remain closed until further notice.

Service on three Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority regional rail lines remained suspended late Tuesday afternoon because of the fire.

Firefighters battle a blaze at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

An American flag waves as flames engulf at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Firefighters battle a blaze at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A firefighter looks on as a fire engulfs SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Firefighters battle a blaze at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A fire engulfs SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Firefighters battle a blaze at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — William Nylander, who leads the Maple Leafs in scoring, went to the locker room late in the first period of Toronto's Thursday night game against the Vegas Golden Knights with a lower-body injury.

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said it was a re-aggravation of an injury that recently kept Nylander out of the lineup for six games.

“He's back playing great and now he's out again,” Berube said. “We'll see how long.”

Nylander leads the team with 31 assists and 48 points after getting a goal and an assist against the Golden Knights.

His overtime goal gave the Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory at Colorado on Monday night to end the Avalanche's 17-game home winning streak.

The 11-year veteran has been an ironman for the Maple Leafs, having appeared in all 82 games each of the past three seasons and in 81 games in 2021-22.

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Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, left, celebrates with right wing William Nylander after his goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)