Three Scully employees were injured, including one seriously who was transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center and was reported tonight in stable condition. Five firefighters were treated for heat related illnesses.
While firefighters worked, citizens in the area were evacuated, roads were closed and three shelters were set up. Many businesses in the immediate area closed, but a couple stayed open to help firefighters. Ice was taken from the Pathmark grocery store. Wendy's made burgers and Frosties for firefighters.
Thirty fire and emergency units from Delaware County responded and every police department in the county was represented. Fire companies from Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties helped at the scene or were on-call in case fires broke out elsewhere in Delaware County.
Firefighters worked into the night to tackle "hot spots," small fires that were mainly burning at a neighboring storage business.
Collingdale Police Chief Robert Adams said he hoped MacDade Boulevard, a main thoroughfare could be reopened by midnight.
A major concern into the early evening were two large propane tanks of 30,000 and 18,000 gallons, but they were secured, according to John Moors, chief of the Collingdale volunteer fire company No. 1. He said Boeing would move in with foam to smother what may remain of heat or fire.
Delaware County fire investigators and the District Attorney's Office were on the scene to check for causes.
Scully also operates a propane distribution business at the site, at the intersection of MacDade Boulevard and West Oak Lane.
When the fire first broke out, a black plume of smoke mushroomed over the area and was visible as far as Media. Flames reached 100 feet as shrapnel from dozens of exploding tanks rained down on MacDade Boulevard.
"Metal was flying all over," said Mayor Frank Kelly. "People were running in the streets."
