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Smoke From Southwest Philly Recycling Center Fire Causes Local School To Evacuate

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A nearby school had to be evacuated on Thursday afternoon due to smoke from a multi-alarm fire at a recycling center in Southwest Philadelphia.

A large fire erupted at the Pasco Inc. recycling center on the 7200 block of Paschall Avenue around 9:40 a.m.

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Video from Chopper 3 showed huge plumes of smoke coming from the building.

The smoke from the building entered the Colwyn Elementary School's ventilation system. Fire department officials initially inspected the school and deemed it safe, but when the winds shifted and brought in more smoke to the vicinity of the school around 1:30 p.m., students and staff were evacuated and transported by bus to the Walnut Street Elementary School in Darby.

The William Penn School District says no one will be allowed to re-enter the school until the building is deemed safe.

The fire was elevated to three alarms and has been placed under control.

No injuries have been reported.

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SEPTA previously suspended the Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail Line due to the fire, but has since resumed service with residual delays.

There is no word yet on what caused the fire.

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