Fire burns out of control at vacant mattress warehouse in Baltimore
A massive fire engulfed a vacant mattress warehouse in west Baltimore, prompting a significant response from the city's fire department, which declared it a 5-alarm blaze due to its intensity. Firefighters were forced to battle the flames from outside the structure, as the fire's proximity to a major passenger rail line caused disruptions along the Mid-Atlantic corridor, with Amtrak halting services until conditions improve. The fire, which began shortly before 7 p.m., has not resulted in any reported injuries, but its scale necessitated defensive firefighting tactics to prevent further damage. The incident occurred in the historic Midtown-Edmondson neighborhood, leading to evacuations and a call for Red Cross assistance for displaced residents. Ongoing efforts focus on controlling the fire and ensuring the safety of the area, while the public is advised to avoid the vicinity near Edmondson Avenue and Bantalou Street.
Context:
A massive fire engulfed a vacant mattress warehouse in west Baltimore, prompting a significant response from the city's fire department, which declared it a 5-alarm blaze due to its intensity. Firefighters were forced to battle the flames from outside the structure, as the fire's proximity to a major passenger rail line caused disruptions along the Mid-Atlantic corridor, with Amtrak halting services until conditions improve. The fire, which began shortly before 7 p.m., has not resulted in any reported injuries, but its scale necessitated defensive firefighting tactics to prevent further damage. The incident occurred in the historic Midtown-Edmondson neighborhood, leading to evacuations and a call for Red Cross assistance for displaced residents. Ongoing efforts focus on controlling the fire and ensuring the safety of the area, while the public is advised to avoid the vicinity near Edmondson Avenue and Bantalou Street.
Dive Deeper:
The fire started in a vacant multi-story mattress warehouse in west Baltimore and quickly escalated to a 5-alarm status, requiring a significant firefighting response due to its intensity and scale.
Firefighters adopted a defensive strategy, taking positions on nearby rooftops and using water trucked to the scene, as the structure's instability prevented an interior attack on the flames.
The blaze disrupted a major passenger rail corridor between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., leading Amtrak to temporarily pause train services in the area until the situation is under control.
Although no injuries have been reported, the fire department's response highlights the rarity of such large-scale incidents, as similar alarm-level fires had limited occurrences in previous years.
The fire's location in the historic Midtown-Edmondson neighborhood necessitated evacuation measures and a request for Red Cross aid to assist residents who may be displaced by the ongoing emergency.
Baltimore Fire Chief James W. Wallace emphasized the challenges posed by the dense smoke and the need for a cautious approach to ensure firefighter safety while combating the blaze.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area around Edmondson Avenue and Bantalou Street, as efforts continue to contain the fire and minimize its impact on the surrounding community.