Breaking: Fire at Walmart distribution center near Indianapolis airport

A 1.2 million-square-foot Walmart distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana, about 5 miles from Indianapolis International Airport, caught fire Wednesday a little before noon, sending out massive plumes that are visible from space.

According to a press conference with Plainfield Fire Chief Brent Anderson, fire crews that were conducting training drills in the area were on the scene within three minutes, but officials said that efforts to put out the blaze will continue into the night. 

A reported 200 firefighters from more than a dozen agencies are assisting with efforts to contain and eventually extinguish the fire. All of the approximately 1,000 employees of the distribution center and firefighters are accounted for, and no serious injuries have been reported.

Images circulating on social media depict billowing black smoke and fragments of charred debris, which are landing in the surrounding area.

“If you’re in the plume or in the area, shelter in place, or evacuate if you’re already outside,” Anderson said, adding that the state’s Department of Environmental Management is monitoring the area for air quality.

Michael Pruitt, deputy fire chief of the nearby Bargersville Fire Department, warned on his Twitter account, “These burnt materials can contain toxic carcinogens. This is the very reason firefighters wear protective gear and respiratory protection. Just avoid it.”

Officials still aren’t sure what sparked the fire, but Anderson said that the blaze began on the third-floor mezzanine. It will take “quite some time,” he added, before officials can enter the facility to determine the cause.

The nearby Indianapolis International Airport, from which smoke from the fire was clearly visible, reported no interruptions to flights.

“Currently, there is no impact on airport operations and flights are not being affected. We’re continuing to monitor the situation happening in our neighborhood. Our heart goes out to all those involved,” it said on its Twitter account.

This is a developing story –– check back here for updates.

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Source: Freightwaves - Breaking: Fire at Walmart distribution center near Indianapolis airport
Editor: Jack Daleo