Firefighters battled a warehouse fire in southwest Philadelphia Sunday evening that sent up a thick plume of smoke that could be smelled even in Center City.
There were no reported injuries from the fire, which occurred before 6:30 p.m. at a paper recycling facility in the 1600 block of South 49th Street next to the Schyulkill River, authorities said. A company called Gold Medal Manufacturing lists that address on its website.
The fire, which climbed to three alarms, led to heavy smoke before it was brought under control at about 9 p.m. A hazmat team is checking air quality in the area.
At the beginning of the fire, neighbors told NBC10 that they heard three large "booms."
"Oh the explosions were loud," said neighbor Kori Beaman.
So much water had to be poured onto the fire that the Philadelphia Water Department was on site to help first responders.
SEPTA's Route 36 trolley service is still affected. Shuttle buses had to operate in both directions from 49th and Woodland to Island and Woodland due to the fire.
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Amtrak's Northeast Corridor trains run behind the warehouse, though far enough away that service was not affected.
