Fire breaks out at Pennsylvania explosives factory

Early in the morning November 11, area firefighters were dispatched to Action Manufacturing Company’s Atglen, Pennsylvania factory to respond to a building fire, according to Cochranville Fire Company and reporting from local news. The site produces fuses and other timing devices for explosives. According to a company website, its Atglen site is designated as a “loading facility.”  Local news site WGAL8 reported that the Chester County hazmat team was called in order to deal with hazardous materials present in the factory. Once firefighters had conferred with a representative for the facility, they made the decision to allow the building to continue burning.

According to CBS News, people who lived nearby reported hearing “multiple explosives.”

No reporting suggests anyone was harmed in the fire, which began from an as-yet unknown cause shortly after 3am. In a statement, the Chester County Department of Emergency Services said the fire will be monitored until it goes out and poses no threat to the public.  The company has previously plead guilty about ten years ago to storing explosive hazardous waste illegally at the site and ordered to pay a fine of $1.2 million, a special assessment of $800, and spent five years on a probation term.

The fire comes almost exactly a month after another explosives factory, Accurate Energetic Systems’ factory in rural Tennessee, exploded, killing 19 people.

Disaster preparedness

Is your facility prepared for hurricane disaster? Tips from a survivor.
Disaster recovery could come down to an accurate spare parts list and asset hierarchy. Where does your facility stand?

Accurate Energetic Systems factory explodes; 19 missing, feared killed
Local authorities say the cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Race Ramps Michigan auto equipment factory damaged by fire
The trailer and auto ramp manufacturer said no one was hurt or killed.

Manufacturers investing in Pennsylvania

Eos Energy battery manufacturer spends $352.9 million expand Pennsylvania factory
The company also said it would relocate its headquarters from New Jersey.

Medical technology company B. Braun announces $20 million expansion in Pennsylvania
B. Braun said in a statement the Lehigh Valley expansion will create 200 full-time jobs.

Philips invests $150 million to expand ultrasound manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania
The investment also includes projects in Minnesota and other U.S. facilities to strengthen the company’s growth in the healthcare technology market.

Investing in American manufacturing in 2025 

This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.