The SPS Technologies factory in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, suffered catastrophic damage from a fire that broke out on Feb. 17 blaze.

Per multiple media reports, the fire lasted multiple days, destroying much of the 600,000-sq-ft facility. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The company has laid off 250 of its approximately 500 employees. At its peak during World War II, the plant employed over 3,000 workers but had reduced its workforce to 475 employees in recent years. The fire resulted in half of thee employees being out of work..

The plant produced nuts, bolts, washers and fasteners used in critical applications for aircraft engines, wings, fuselages, and landing gear. It also supplied fasteners for industries such as medical technology, automobile racing, marine applications and power generation.