Shelter in place continues until further notice. Abington police to give updates every two hours

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Abington , Jenkintown | Local News

February 18th, 2025 | By Kevin Tierney

Residents and businesses within one mile of the SPS Technologies at 301 Highland Avenue in Jenkintown (Abington Township) are being asked to shelter-in-place by the Abington Township Police Department after an industrial fire.

In a press release, police shared that there will be an update regarding the need to shelter-in-place and the fire every two hours. The next update will occur at noon and can be viewed at www.abingtonpa.gov, on township social media on Facebook and Instagram @AbingtonTownship, and on X @AbingtonPA.

The shelter-in-place directive comes from consultation with the Abington Fire Marshal, Montgomery County Hazmat Team, and the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management. It will remain in place until the “fire is fully under control due to smoke and particulate matter filtering across the area.”

The impacted area includes SEPTA regional rail lines and bus locations, including those lines servicing Glenside and Jenkintown stations. Additionally, Abington School District, Jenkintown School District, and all private and parochial schools are closed today (Tuesday, February 18, 2025). Police ask that residents avoid the area of the fire as it is an active scene and investigation.

HazMat teams, along with personnel from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, are “actively monitoring the air quality and runoff water both at the site and in the surrounding area.” Thus far, no threats to public health or safety have been detected and drinking water is not impacted. Monitoring efforts will continue in the coming days to ensure the safety of the community.

The following agencies are assisting on-site:

  • Abington, Cheltenham, and Jenkintown police and emergency management agencies
  • Montgomery County Department of Public Safety
  • Bucks County Department of Public Safety
  • Chester County Department of Public Safety
  • Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
  • Aqua
  • Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

You can watch the press conference held earlier today below.