Parker Lord Corp. in Saegertown remains closed Monday after a fire and explosion damaged the plant and injured eight, according to company officials.

Emergency operations at the plant have been terminated as of Monday afternoon, according to Saegertown Borough Manager Chuck Lawrence.

The incident was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the company at 601 South St.

We're told firefighters responded for an alarm, and when they went in, the explosion happened.

Several people told our crews they heard an explosion, which public safety officials later to confirmed to Erie News Now. Photos posted to social media showed flames shooting from the business.

The fire caused serious damage. The whole side of one of the buildings is gone, and pieces of siding and roofing were hanging off another building. We're told Pampered Palate Catering & Conference Center across the road saw damage to its light fixtures, which were knocked down and hanging loose.

Multiple fire and ambulance crews from across the area including Erie County were called to the scene. Firefighters could be seen fighting the fire from aeriel ladders. Public safety officials said the flames were quickly put out.

The company said eight people - four employees and four firefighters - suffered minor injuries. All but one were taken to Meadville Medical Center for treatment; the other was taken to UPMC Hamot. Most went to the hospital as a precaution, and the others suffered minor injuries.

Residents in the area received an emergency alert on their phones, asking them to shelter in place, avoid outdoors areas and close windows, as a precaution in case there were any hazardous materials. The shelter in place was later been lifted, and Lawrence said there are no concerns over water or air quality issues or hazardous materials. 

Water from the fire was contained in retention ponds designed for containment for incidents like Sunday's, and the system worked, according to Lawerence. An approved contractor is working to remove the contained run-off. Water and air quality will continue to be monitored, he said.

Public safety officials would not disclose a cause for the explosion and fire, deferring to Parker Lord corporate officials who are expected to visit the scene. The company said it will "learn from this incident and continue to place the safety of our team members and our communities as our highest priority" once the investigation into the cause of the fire and explosion is complete.

A Parker Lord representative told Erie News Now its Saegertown facility makes adhesives, coatings and specialty materials that are used in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, and oil and gas industries.

"We offer our sincere thanks to the local fire department, emergency management and first responders and wish all of those who were injured a speedy recovery," a spokesperson said in a statement.

The facility remained closed as of Monday, and a spokesperson said it appears there is no power, and access to the site is very restricted to personnel only.

The incident closed Route 198 in Crawford County from Route 19/Route 6 in Saegertown Borough to Route 86 in Woodcock Township for hours Sunday.

Read the full statement from Parker Lord

At approximately 10:30am on February 9, 2025, a fire occurred in our production facility in Saegertown, PA. All operations have been suspended. The Parker LORD Saegertown facility makes adhesives, coatings, and specialty materials that are used in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, and oil and gas industries. Local fire and first responders were notified and quickly arrived at the facility. 

An explosion occurred during the effort to contain the fire. Local officials issued a shelter in place order to surrounding businesses and residences as a precaution, which had been lifted several hours later. The fire has now been isolated. There was major damage to the facility and minor injuries were reported. All injured parties have been or are being treated.

We offer our sincere thanks to the local fire department, emergency management and first responders and wish all of those who were injured a speedy recovery. Once the investigation of the cause of the fire and explosion is complete, we will learn from this incident and continue to place the safety of our team members and our communities as our highest priority.