Massive fire at Walmart distribution center in Plainfield; no injuries reported
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PLAINFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — No injuries are believed to have occurred after a massive warehouse fire in Plainfield.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the Walmart distribution center at 9590 Allpoints Parkway at 11:57 a.m. Wednesday. Crews arrived at noon to find the building too dangerous to enter, taking up a defensive position.
As of 3 p.m., crews are beginning to deal with a water shortage while fighting the fire.
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According to the Plainfield Police Department, around 1,000 employees believed to be in the center have all been accounted for. They were taken by Plainfield Community School Corporation buses to reunification centers. No firefighters have been injured while fighting the blaze.
News 8’s Garrett Bergquist reports that employees are being interviewed by ATF and state fire marshal investigators.
Town officials are asking residents living north of the facility to stay inside and close their windows and doors.
Up to 200 firefighters are working at the scene and the operation is expected to last more than 24 hours.
“Just about every fire department in central Indiana is responding,” said Joe Aldridge, deputy chief with the Plainfield Police Department.
The fire is visible from miles away and is showing up on radar.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is headed to Plainfield to monitor air quality.
A Plainfield Community School Corporation representative said the fire will not impact dismissal and parents should still be able to go about their normal routine.
The Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township says that there are currently no air quality or hazmat issues affecting the school district.
News 8’s Katiera Winfrey reports that she is finding debris in surrounding neighborhoods.
Walmart officials released this statement:
“We’re thankful to local emergency crews for their quick response and for helping us account for the safety of our associates and those at the facility. We’ll continue working with police and fire personnel and are referring all questions to them.”
The Columbus division of ATF says agents and fire investigators are headed to Plainfield to assist.
Just after 7:00 a.m. Thursday, Plainfield Fire Territory tweeted that 24 fire departments have assisted so far and crews worked through the night to manage hot spots.
Plainfield fire chief Brent Anderson provided an update at 9 a.m. Thursday.
On Monday, Walmart provided the following update:
“Thanks to the work of response crews, law enforcement and Walmart‘s recovery team, our Plainfield Fulfillment Center, IND2, has resumed operations. Additionally, we’ve extended disaster benefits to those associates displaced by Wednesday’s fire at the IND1 Fulfillment Center.”
Walmart Corporate Communications Director Charles Crowson