Explosions, Fire At Montco Apartments: Shelter-In-Place Lifted

EAGLEVILLE, PA — Fire and explosions ripped through a Montgomery County apartment complex Thursday after a code enforcement checkup went awry.

The incident began at around noon, near the Eaglestream Apartments in Eagleville. The man who owned the home that was being checked displayed a firearm to the officer, Lower Providence Police said.

Law enforcement arrived on the scene and the man went back inside, police said. Shortly thereafter, explosions were heard, and that's when the house caught fire, rapidly spreading to multiple other row homes nearby on Cardin Place and Sunderland Drive.

The man is not yet in custody, police said, and it's not clear if he's in the home or not, as the fire was still being fought at around 4 p.m. Officials did add that there is no risk to the community. A shelter-in-place order was lifted by around 3 p.m.

Firefighters and police remain on the scene. The blaze grew to three alarms, as police protected firefighters while they worked to suppress it.

Nearby, Eagleville Elementary School and the campus of Skyview/Arcola were placed on lockout, with no one allowed in or out of the building. All students and staff are safe, but parents were asked to temporarily refrain from picking up children.

County officials urged the public to "please avoid the area." Residents nearby reported hearing multiple "booming," explosion-like sounds around noon.

Plumes of smoke could be seen from throughout Lower Providence, and photos and videos from the scene showed the roofs of multiple units on fire.

Fire, ambulance, and police from several surrounding municipalities responded to the scene.

This is a breaking story. Check back for more information as it becomes available.