Multiple explosions were reported in a fire at a manufacturing facility in southeastern Pennsylvania early Tuesday, officials said.
The Cochranville Fire Company was dispatched to Bailey Crossroads Road in West Fallowfield Township shortly after 3 a.m. following reports of a building fire, the Chester County Department of Emergency Services said in a news release.
West Fallowfield is about 50 miles west of Philadelphia.
The first arriving unit found the building fully engulfed in flames, with “multiple explosions” reported, fire officials said.
After confirming that the fire involved a building operated by Action Manufacturing Company — a facility that stores hazardous materials — fire crews requested additional assistance from the Chester County Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Response Team.
With water sources in the area scarce, officials then set up tankers to shuttle water to the scene.
After consulting with a company representative, fire officials determined that “the best course of action was to stand by and let the building continue to burn.”
Fire crews cleared the scene by around 4:40 a.m. No injuries were reported, and there were no threats to the public, county officials said.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Chester County Fire Marshals’ Office and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Action Manufacturing Company develops fuses, electronic devices, and custom energetics, officials said. In 2014, the Bucks County-headquartered company pleaded guilty to illegally storing explosive hazardous waste at its Chester County facility and agreed to pay a $1.2 million fine, court records show.
A company spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.