Massive fire destroys beloved local business Superior Play Systems in West Norriton Twp.
WEST NORRITON TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A large fire tore through a business in West Norriton Township, Montgomery County, on Monday morning, sending massive flames and thick black smoke into the air and prompting a massive emergency response.
The blaze broke out shortly after 11 a.m. at Superior Play Systems, a facility on Industry Lane that manufactures outdoor play equipment.
Cell phone video captured part of the building collapsing as intense flames quickly overtook the structure.
Firefighters said conditions deteriorated rapidly as crews arrived on scene.
"We pulled everyone back, which turned into a master stream operation at this location because the building was too unsafe to actually enter," Chief Kenny Kanauer of Jefferson Fire Co. #1 said.
Video from Chopper 6 showed flames and black smoke rising high above the building.
Officials said 130 trucks from approximately 100 fire companies across the region responded to the scene, underscoring the scale of the fire.
Authorities said the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police and the local fire marshal's office are all involved in determining how the fire started.
Witnesses described how quickly the situation escalated. Kevin Burbage said he and colleagues went inside the building after seeing smoke to ensure everyone had evacuated.
"We saw the fire. We wanted to make sure everyone was out of the building. We actually went through the front door yelling for everybody to get out. The fire appears to have started in the back and within a few minutes, it was fully involved," Burbage said.
Nearby business owner Barbara Colvin said she was relieved no one was injured, noting that families and children were often present at the facility's on-site playground.
"The parents and children can come, and I don't know the certain times they can come and play. I did see quite a few children and adults leave. I don't know what to say, they're probably all in disbelief," Colvin said.
No injuries have been reported. Officials have not said what may have sparked the fire.
