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Baltimore fire crews are struggling to suppress a four-alarm fire at a warehouse in the Fairfield area of South Baltimore. Pictures of the blaze show the 94,000 square-foot building engulfed in flames, sending clouds of thick, dark smoke billowing into the air that were widely visible to the city’s 600,000 residents.
Baltimore Fire Department spokesman Roman Clark said the fire was reported at around 6:45 Monday morning, and that more than 100 firefighters were fighting the blaze at 1030 E. Patapsco Ave. The 94,000-square-foot warehouse contains toys, clothing and packing supplies, though aerial footage showed multiple buildings were on fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No inujuries have been reported, the Baltimore Sun reported.
"This is a very labor-intensive situation we have right now," Clark said.
One Baltimore resident who spoke with the Sun said he was shocked by the giant tufts of smoke, and worried that there could be another incident like an acid leak that prompted a shelter-in-place warning.
Resident Charles Hynes, 55, said he was shocked by the huge plume of smoke coming from the warehouse. He said it's especially concerning coming just a week after an acid leak in a nearby chemical plant prompted a shelter-in-place warning.
"It's just crazy around here. This whole neighborhood is crazy," Hynes said. "There's always something."
Another resident said she found the smoke unnerving.
Lisa Miller works at By Grace Counseling Services, which is also in the 1000 block of Patapsco.
As she drove to work, she said she grew increasingly scared the black smoke was emanating from the substance abuse center.
She said she hopes firefighters get the flames under control soon, as she's still worried about her workplace. She's also concerned about more air pollution after the acid leak incident.
"This area needs a break," said Miller, 40.
Stunning photos of the fire were beginning to emerge: