‘Stay Out Of Phoenixville’ Police Warn As Destructive Fire Rages

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A four-alarm fire broke out Wednesday at SteelTown Village, a low income housing development currently under construction in Phoenixville, according to officials. Much of the building was destroyed by the blaze.

The incident was first reported on Wheatland Street near Mellon Street at about 11:08 a.m., according to Chester County Active Incidents. A fourth alarm was called shortly after noon as the blaze progressed.

Several area roads are closed, and an alternate travel plan has been provided by authorities. Nutt Road was been shut down between Kimberton Road and Bridge Street, while Mason Street between Wheatland and Bridge, and the entirety of Wheatland Street, was shut down. Motorists were directed to alternate routes (map below).

Heavy traffic hit the area, especially near the 500 and 600 blocks of Bridge Street, the Phoenixville Office of Emergency Management said.

Large plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles as the fire raged. Schuylkill Township Police urged residents to "avoid the borough at all costs" as crews responded to the situation.

Several blocks away, residents reported that ash had landed on their roofs.

A CBS Philly live video from the scene, included below, showed portions of the building disintegrating in the flames as firefighters directed jets of water on it from several directions.

Chester County issued a "Red Flag" warning early Wednesday morning, indicating that conditions were ripe for a fire: low humidity, strong winds, and dry fuels.

Conditions Wednesday also presented a difficulty for firefighters, as temperatures soaring into the 80s made things quite uncomfortable for firefighters wearing heavy protective gear.

SteelTown Village was a point of controversy as its approval was debated by officials for months. The $13 million project, launched by Petra Community Housing and finally approved last year, aims to cater to veterans, the elderly, families, and individuals with disabilities.

Firefighters from several nearby stations assisted Phoenixville Fire Department at the scene, including Berwyn, Valley Forge, Union, East Whiteland, West Chester, and more. Crews were on the scene for over four hours.

It's not yet clear what started the blaze or if there are any injuries.

The following alternative routes have been provided by the Office of Emergency Management:

This is a breaking story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Image via Limerick Fire Company