STEWARTSTOWN, Pa. — Update, April 29: Smoke continues to rise from an abandoned factory in Stewartstown two days after a massive blaze, as local and state authorities continue to look into the cause of the fire.
Investigators are treating it as a case of arson.
"At this time all avenues are being looked at, everything is being investigated," said Trooper James Grothey, the public information officer for Pennsylvania State Police Troop J. "We’re not going to say one way or another until we can confirm that."
The remnants of the fire lay scattered across the area. In the Cloverfield Farms neighborhood that sits behind the warehouse property, large pieces of ashes stick out in the green grass.
People in and around the neighborhood described hearing large pops and seeing an “orange glow.”
On High Street, Chad Onstot's house suffered minor damage from the heat, which he could feel on his windows.
"It was a chilly morning," he said when describing how hot the fire was. "I could walk around with a T-shirt and shorts and be warm."
The heat warped some of the siding near the second story of the home.
"It's been a fire hazard," Onstot said. "They should've done something about it a long time ago."
Update, April 28: Fire Chief Todd Gibney has released additional details about Saturday's fire.
According to Gibney, Eureka firefighters always feared a fire starting in this building and even worked to have an eight-inch diameter water pipe installed at the large pond on Pinston Court and running up to the rear of the Stewartstown VFW parking lot to ensure fire engines had ample water to pump from.
Gibney stated that in recent years, firefighters put together a "Pre-Plan" for this building; it was 13 pages long and included intricate details on what actions the crew would take if the building caught fire.
Due to the old factory's size, age, construction, contents and normal wind conditions, Gibney stated that the "Pre-Plan" fully conceded that several houses on High Street, Gordon's Service Center and possibly other nearby buildings would be lost before firefighters could stop the flames.
However, with the exception of one home on High Street with three pieces of warped siding and some melted siding on the vacant Stewartstown Sweets building, no other houses or buildings were damaged by the fire.
According to Gibney, the fire will go down as the biggest in Eureka history and is likely one of the biggest fires in York County history.
Additionally, Gibney stated that the fire will continue to smolder, and even produce the occasional flame, for the next seven days, which is normal. and it will remain monitored. Haz-Mat and DEP have also given the all-clear on air quality, and there is no concern with water quality at this time.
The fire remains under investigation by the State Police Fire Marshal in conjunction with the Southern Regional Police Department. However, due to the magnitude and size of the fire the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives may be called in to assist.
Update, 12 p.m.: Southern Regional Police, along with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall's office, are investigating following a massive warehouse fire in Stewartstown Borough early Saturday morning. Authorities believe the fire may be suspicious in nature and have labeled the incident as an arson investigation.
Police are asking anyone in Stewartstown Borough with security cameras to check their footage between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. for any suspicious activity, including people on foot or suspicious vehicles in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to call Southern Regional Police at 717-235-3944.
The York County Office of Emergency Management released this timeline of Saturday's fire:
At 1:54 am on Saturday, April 27, York County 911 received a call about smoke showing at a warehouse at 13 Mill Street in Stewartstown. Firefighters quickly arrived on scene and observed heavy smoke and flames.
Here is a brief timeline of events:
2:10 a.m.: Fire went to second alarm.
2:12 a.m.: Firefighters switched to defensive operations (exterior attack) only
2:13 a.m.: Fire went to third alarm.
2:51 a.m.: Fire went to fourth alarm.
3:48 a.m.: Multiple collapses occur at the warehouse.
4:21 a.m.: Red Cross requested to provide canteen services for more than 100 personnel.
4:31 a.m.: Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection notified.
5:18 a.m.: Fire under control.
Previous: A massive warehouse fire broke out early Saturday morning in Stewartstown.
The six-alarm fire broke out just before 2 a.m. at the old Furniture factory located along the first block of Mill Street. It's being called the largest fire in Stewartstown's history, according to Todd Gibney, chief of Eureka Volunteer Fire Department.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Gibney said:
"Please understand that this is going to be a multiple-event day. We know this is causing inconveniences to everyone and I ask that you remain patient. We have done our best to get off of the Borough water system but you still may have discolored water for a period of time. Also, multiple roads are shut down in the area."
It is unknown at this time how the fire started. It remains under investigation.
No one was hurt, residents or emergency responders, according to Brittany Barnette, Mayor of Stewartstown.
FOX43 News will continue to update this story throughout the day as more information becomes available.