Demolition work at the fire-ravaged SPS Technologies facility in Abington is progressing faster than expected, writes Dino Ciliberti for the Patch.
Commissioner Matt Vahey shared that the above-grade demolition of the Highland Avenue property, destroyed in a five-alarm blaze this past February, should be largely complete by fall.
More than 70 fire companies battled the massive inferno last winter. As cleanup continues, Highland Avenue will close for up to two weeks starting the week of August 18. This will allow for safe removal of buildings facing the road. By then, officials expect Easton Road to be fully reopened following SEPTA bridge work.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, SPS Technologies has signaled interest in rebuilding. No official development plans have been submitted, but early discussions suggest a smaller, modernized facility may be in the works.
The fire’s impact was severe: One month after the incident, SPS laid off roughly half of its 500-person workforce. Parent company Precision Castparts Corp. cited the damage’s effect on operations, offering four weeks’ compensation to affected employees, many of whom had spent decades with the company.
To read more about the demolition progression at Abington’s SPS Technologies, visit the Patch.
