At 5:44 PM, our department was alerted for a brush fire in the area of Superior Beverage on Wheatland Street. The caller reported seeing black smoke coming from trees behind the building. Assistant 65-B arrived on location with Engine 65-2 to find smoke coming from the old Weiland Meat Packing Company. The assignment was upgraded to a building fire. Crews found a mattress and other debris on fire inside the building. The fire also extended into the ceiling of what was once a cooling room. The assignment was then scaled back and units from Phoenixville and Upper Providence were held on scene to handle the fire. Crews spent about two hours to pull apart the multiple layers of tin and insulation to ensure that all fire was extinguished. This was a dangerous operation for firefighters given the condition of the building.

The structure is dilapidated and unsafe. It is obvious that people are illegally accessing the property. Evidence of people cooking food, sleeping and partying is obvious. While this in general is a problem, the bigger issue is that if you decide to access this private property you risk getting severely injured.

Bridge Street was closed by police and fire police between Buchanan and Wheatland Streets during the incident. Chester County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire. A crew at Kimberton Fire Company was standing by in their station to cover any additional emergencies in Phoenixville.