PHILADELPHIA - Fire officials in Philadelphia still have no explanation as to why two junkyard fires that threatened the city's air quality sparked just days apart, but they admit that the occurrence is abnormal. "It's certainly not normal," said Philadelphia Deputy Fire Commissioner Jeffery Thompson. "It's something we're looking at, and we'll work with our partners at Licensing and Inspections to see if there’s anything we can do to make the fire code more robust."Firefighters were called to Philly Auto Salvage and Parts last Friday for a multi-alarm fire that torched nearly two dozen scrap vehicles.
An air quality alert was issued for nearby residents that advised them to remain inside to avoid breathing in potentially hazardous material, but tests later revealed no signs of toxins.
Fire investigators have not reported what sparked the blaze. A review of Licensing and Inspections records shows several fire-safety related violations levied against Philly Auto Salvage and parts, including failure to mount fire extinguishers withing 75 ft of each other throughout the yard.Health officials in Philadelphia are cautioning residents who live near a raging junkyard fire to remain indoors while air quality tests are being conducted.Other fines, according to records, involve failure to keep fire equipment access roads clear of obstructions.