Parkersburg, WV, Warehouse Fire Continues to Burn
A warehouse in Parkersburg that may burn for days prompted Gov. Patrick Morrisey to declare a State of Emergency for Wood County.
The fire was discovered about 10:45 a.m. Saturday, and was quickly contained by both local fire department and the warehouse's fire suppression systems, Peoples Cartage CEO Doug Sibila wrote in a statement Sunday.
A fire watch was maintained through the overnight hours, but the flames reignited on Sunday morning. WCHS reported.
All fire companies in Wood County are involved in the operation, according to a Facebook post from the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
The state of emergency declaration allows state agencies to provide all available resources necessary to support local response efforts, protect public safety and respond to potential environmental impacts.
No injuries were reported in the facility where hazardous materials and plastics are stored for other companies.
After visiting the fire scene Sunday afternoon, Morrisey told reporters that the state's department of environmental protection will be monitoring the air with assistance with the EPA.
"People should know that we are taking this incident seriously and approaching it with an abundance of caution. I appreciate the extraordinary work of our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and environmental teams. We will continue supporting them until this fire is extinguished and the community is safe."
The state fire marshal is investigating.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.