Burned Cell Tower to Be Torn Down

Cranes have been called in to demolish a cell tower that caught fire Friday morning behind the Bensalem public works building on Byberry Road.

Officials hope to have the 118-foot tower torn down by the end of the day.
They have cleared a 300-foot perimeter around the tower, which was smoldering as of 2:30 p.m. The tower is leaning to one side and can be seen swaying.

Officials say there is no danger to any homes.

The Bensalem Fire Investigator told phillyburbs.com that a welder's torch sparked some insulation and wiring, causing the blaze.

Residents of the Bensalem Woods apartment complex and a few homes on Byberry Road were evacuated but have been allowed to return to their residences.

Officials feared the tower could collapse on the public works building, according to NBC 10, which posted aerial video of the scene.

The tower is used to boost cell phone coverage and there have been no reports of cell phone service disrupted because of the fire, Bensalem officials told Patch.