Philadelphia-based attorneys jointly filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of those impacted by the fire and explosion at the SPS Technologies site in the Jenkintown section of Abington Township on Monday, February 17.

The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, February 20. Wyncote resident Marlo Jones, a school bus operator for one of the school districts that was forced to close due to the incident, is listed as the plaintiff in the lawsuit “on behalf of prospective class members”.

“The fire and explosion was caused by defendant’s failures to inspect, properly maintain, and/or operate its facility, including the location of the origin of the fire,” according to the filing. It also states that SPS “failed to uphold industry standards” in facility operations and as a result “hundreds if not thousands of persons have been damaged … including lost wages diminution in value of their real and personal property, and emotional distress.”

The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for the plaintiffs. The Amount in Controversy is listed as “More than $50,000”.

“We will be conducting, in concert with governmental entities, a comprehensive inquiry under the rules of legal discovery and fully expect all relevant SPS records, including hazardous materials maintenance and management files, fire suppression system operating logs, along with other related system safety documentation – including personnel training and supervision reports – to be preserved and produced without alteration or delay,” Jones’ lawyers said.

“While it is too soon to fully ascertain the root cause of this disaster, or on present or future environmental and health impacts, it is not too soon to assert, as outlined in the Complaint, there were numerous operational failures and that a well-managed and maintained manufacturing facility doesn’t just catch fire, explode, then burn uncontrollably,” Jones’ lawyers said.

According to the filing, the complaint’s common questions include:

a. Whether Defendant’s acts or omissions as set forth herein caused or contributed to the fire and explosion of the SPS facility;
b. Whether Defendant breached its duty of reasonable care in its manufacturing activities at the SPS facility;
c. Whether Defendant had a duty to implement and maintain reasonable safety procedures and practices appropriate to the nature and scope of its manufacturing at the SPS facility;
d. Whether Defendant knew or should have known that its policies, processes, practices, and procedures were insufficient to ensure the safety of its operations at the SPS facility;
e. Whether Defendant breached its duties of care to ensure the safety of the SPS facility and to avoid the fire and explosion and injury and damages the surrounding area and persons; Case ID: 25020283412
f. The extent to which Defendant was on notice of the substandard safety practices at the SPS facility;
g. Whether Defendant failed to prevent the explosion at the SPS facility;
h. Whether Defendant failed to adequately respond to the February 17, 2025, fire and explosion;
i. Whether Defendant’s failures amounted to negligence and/or negligent supervision;
j. Whether Defendant’s actions amounted to private nuisance;
k. Whether Defendant’s actions amounted to public nuisance;
l. Whether Defendant’s actions amounted to trespass to land;
m. Whether the explosion caused medical and/or psychological injuries or emotional distress;
n. Whether the explosion caused damages to personal property or land;
o. Whether Plaintiff and the Class Members suffered legally cognizable injuries and damages as a result of Defendant’s misconduct;p. Whether Defendant’s acts violated the law; and
q. Whether Plaintiff and the Class Members are entitled to damages includingcompensatory and punitive damages, and/or injunctive relief

On Saturday, February 22, Abington officials announced that the fire had finally subsided, and that an investigation by the Abington Fire Marshal and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is underway. 

The full complaint is below:

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