PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) – Crews are on the scene as a fire in the Port Richmond section of the city reaches four alarms.
In #PortRichmond in the area Aramingo Ave and Wheatsheaf Ln @PhillyFireDept are operating at a 2-alarm warehouse fire pic.twitter.com/SNzhfvGR3L
— Traffic on the Twos (@KYWTraffic1060) April 7, 2019
The Philadelphia Fire Department says fire crews arrived on the scene just before 7:30 p.m. and found heavy fire coming from the first floor of a two-story warehouse near Aramingo Avenue, near Wheatsheaf Lane.
The fire quickly grew to four alarms, and officials say that means about ’57 apparatus and 140′ members of the fire department are on the scene.
This fire has forced police to shutdown Aramingo Avenue, both directions, as well as Castor Avenue, Wheatsheaf Lane and Butler Street.
At a press conference Sunday night Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel says he is expecting his crews to be working on this fire into the night, and even says flying embers are a bit of a concern.
“It’s still an active firefight, this fire is not under control,” he said. “We do have it surrounded and contained to the area. We are a little bit concerned about some embers; you can see flying embers going across the railroad tracks.”
@PhillyFireDept @PhilaOEM @PhiladelphiaGov @ThielAdam pic.twitter.com/2ZYmaIzCCI
— David Bonk (@PPDDaveBonk) April 8, 2019
He says fire crews are stationed along the other side of the tracks to make sure another fire doesn’t start. Theil also says that if anyone sees an ember start a fire that they should immediately call 911.
Another concern is powerlines, Thiel says.
“Power lines almost always become involved in fires like this,” he said. “So, it’s another hazard that our firefighters face, is having those power lines come down. So, the other thing that I would say is that if you live in this area, and you lose power, we’re sorry. It’s something that we have to do to be able to get closer to this building and put water on the fire. And obviously, we’ll get the power back on with PECO as soon as possible.”
Thiel says the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management office is on its way, but he says their records do not show that there is any concern of hazardous material.
Officials are asking everyone to please avoid the area.
UPDATE: #PortRichmond warehouse #fire. @PhillyPolice have shut down Aramingo Ave in both directions between Castor and Wheatsheaf Ln. Butler St is closed between Frankford and Aramingo pic.twitter.com/DR1SdG2z9n
— Traffic on the Twos (@KYWTraffic1060) April 8, 2019
There is no word on what started the fire, and currently no injuries have been reported.
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