The fire broke out around 6:30 Sunday morning on the 2200 block of Wakeling Street.
Arriving crews were met with heavy flames shooting from the building and smoke blanketed the area. The fire quickly went to four alarms.
The blaze destroyed one business and spread to the vacant half of a twin home next door.
"The building is a one-story property - Arco Sales Company is the name of it. It's a machine shop. It does metal working and light industrial. It was totally consumed in the fire," said Capt. Michael Richey.
Five residents, living in the other half of the twin home, were evacuated but no injuries were reported.
Residents weren't the only ones feeling the effects of the blaze. Rail service in the area was suspended on SEPTA, Amtrak and Conrail for nearly three hours.
The fire was brought under control shortly before 9:00 a.m. Still no word on a cause.
