Willow Grove Park Mall Photo by James Short.
Firefighters from nine different agencies responded to a reported trash compactor fire Tuesday afternoon inside Bloomingdale’s at the Willow Grove Park Mall, prompting a temporary evacuation of the mall.
At approximately 12:28 p.m., the Roslyn Fire Company was dispatched to the mall at 2400 Moreland Drive after reports of a fire involving a trash compactor. Multiple mutual aid fire companies were also sent to assist. As a precaution, the mall was evacuated in accordance with standard safety procedures for this type of incident.
Fire crews were able to quickly contain the fire to the trash compactor, preventing it from spreading further inside the building. No injuries were reported, and mall operations have since returned to normal. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Abington Township Fire Marshal’s Office.
Following the incident, Roslyn Fire Company expressed appreciation for the support received during the response.
"Roslyn Fire Company would like to extend a sincere thank you to our mutual aid partners for the quick response and strong teamwork at the mall today."
Officials said the incident underscores the importance of early coordination among fire departments and demonstrates how the countywide box system helps ensure adequate resources are dispatched quickly.
"This incident was safely contained thanks to early coordination and highlights why firefighting is always a team effort. It’s also a great example of how the countywide box system works for working fire dispatches- while the response may sound extensive to some, having the right resources early is what helps prevent situations from becoming more serious."
The following fire companies assisted at the scene: Upper Moreland Township Fire Department, Abington Fire Company, Weldon Fire Company, Edge Hill Fire Company, Glenside Fire Company, Fort Washington Fire Company No. 1, Horsham Fire Company, and the Jenkintown Volunteer Fire Department.
