Forty SEPTA buses were damaged in a fire at what officials are calling a "bus graveyard" in Philadelphia, sending a thick plume of smoke into the air.
SkyForce10 was over the scene in Nicetown around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, and fire crews could be seen attempting to control the fire.
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WATCH HEREOfficials said this fire happened behind the Roberts Yard SEPTA Railroad Facility and the Midvale Bus Depot.
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch shared with NBC10 that the facility is what they refer to as "the bus graveyard," where all out-of-service buses are stored. This fire was not impacting any buses that are in service.
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SIGN UP However, officials said the fire was causing street closures in the area of the Roosevelt Boulevard near Germantown Avenue in Hunting Park. People were urged to avoid the area.
The fire was placed under control at 8 a..m. Thursday morning, officials shared. 150 firefighters were on scene to fight the flames.
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Fifteen of the damaged buses were electric and decommissioned as SEPTA and the buses' maker are wrapped up in litigation, officials said
Busch said that no injuries have been reported. A fire department spokesperson confirmed that the Fire Marshal’s Office determined a battery on an electric bus was what caused the blaze.
In response to the fire, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health released a warning to residents stay inside and close doors and windows.
The department stated that they dispatched inspectors to the area to collect air samples, which found high levels of particulate matter, as well as dropping levels of benzene, ethylbenzene and carbon monoxide.
Later in the evening, officials said pollutant levels had lowered to below federal limits, but advised residents to still stay indoors out of an abundance of caution.
Rosemary Zambrano, a resident of Nicetown, said that the air was filled with thick black smoke and that she is going to spend the rest of the day inside after she finished her weekly street cleanup.
"It was black up there, it looked like we had a tornado coming across," she said. "People like me, with respiratory problems or elderly people, because of this fire, just stay in."
Residents of Nicetown with children are also taking the warnings seriously.
"Definitely for the safety of the people and the children, it's really important," said Zakee Rivers, a resident of Nicetown. "Hopefully we hear something soon."
The Health Department recommends doing the following to protect yourself and your family from poor air quality:
- Avoid going outdoors as much as possible.
- If you must go outside, avoid excessive activity, such as jogging or running, and wear a mask, if available.
- Close all windows and doors to minimize air pollution in your home.
- Recirculate air with fans to avoid bringing more air pollution into your home.
This is a developing story; check back for details.
