Massive fire rips through warehouse in West Norriton

WEST NORRITON, Pa. - Firefighters responded to a major fire at Superior Play Systems, a playground equipment supplier, on the 2500 block of Industry Lane in West Norriton on Monday. 

What we know:

Fire crews responded to the 2500 block of Industry Lane around 11:30 a.m.

Heavy flames tore through the roof and thick black smoke billowed into the air. 

The fire quickly escalated to a four-alarm assignment, with about 130 trucks responding, including Jefferson Fire Company, Collegeville, and Upper Merion Fire, according to emergency personnel.

Early reports indicated that the fire began at Superior Play Systems.

Firefighters were forced to pull back from the building due to unsafe conditions. "Conditions deteriorated very quickly, and we pulled everyone back, which turned into a master stream operation at this location because the building is too unsafe to actually enter," said Fire Chief Kenny Knauer of Jefferson Fire Company No. 1.

Crews continued to work into the afternoon to extinguish hotspots and prevent the fire from spreading further.

"It got pretty intense. I didn’t see any flames for a while, but then all of a sudden they were rising way up above the roof of the building," said Rob Weikel, who works on the street.

Weikel expressed concern about children who might be in the area during the day. 

"Kids, like I said, playing during the day and then jumping across to this building here," said Weikel.

Fire officials said heavy excavators will be brought in to pull apart the building and reach remaining hotspots. "So we can get to the hotspots in the building and actually get this fire contained and under control. For the most part, it’s under control. It’s pretty much just becoming a surround and drown of soaking down all the hotspots," said Knauer.

The fire is under investigation by the fire marshal’s office, State Police, and the ATF, said Fire Marshal Mike Valyo with West Norriton Township.

What we don't know:

It is still unknown how the fire started or if anyone was inside Superior Play Systems when the fire began. Officials have not released further details about the investigation.