The warehouse fire that broke out at Dorman Products in Colmar, Hatfield Township, in which more than 30 fire and emergency departments from across Montgomery and Bucks counties battled for more than 10 hours, remains under investigation by the Hatfield Township Fire Marshals’ Office and no cause has been determined at this time.
At least one firefighter was transported to an area hospital for a non life-threatening injury, according to Hatfield Township Fire Marshal Mike Waldron.
According to the fire marshal, Hatfield Township emergency services and at least 29 other mutual aid companies were dispatched to 3400 Walnut Stret in the Colmar section of Hatfield Township at 12:54 p.m.
Dispatcher advised a large fire in the warehouse.
By 1:05 p.m., authorities said the first fire companies on scene were Colmar and Hatfield Fire Company, as well as Fire Department of Montgomery Township and Fairmount Fire Co. of Lansdale.
Firefighters established water supply lines from area hydrants and initiated fire attack with multiple lines.
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)Waldron said the firefighters worked in high heat and heavy smoke conditions to try and control the spread of the fire. Windows, doors and the roof were all ventilated to improve conditions in the warehouse.
At 1:33 p.m., a firefighter became separated from his crew in the warehouse, Waldron said. Once firefighters were unable to reestablish contact with the crew or find an exit, a MAYDAY call was made on his portable radio, he said, alerting everyone that he needed immediate assistance.
By 1:47 p.m., the uninjured firefighter was located, Waldron said.
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)Firefighters, he said, were hampered by racks of burning auto parts in cardboard boxes stacked about 35 feet high. Due to high heat conditions, several racks partially collapsed, making firefighting operations difficult and dangerous, he said.
By 4:33 p.m., the fire was under control and units cleared the scene at 10:21 p.m.
“Due to the difficult and exhausting work accessing and extinguishing the burning materials, fire crews rotated in and out with many being released after several hours and replaced with fresh crews,” he said. “The response included 5-alarms worth of equipment including 24 engine companies, 11 ladder companies and 30 rescues and other support equipment.”
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
