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Warehouse fire breaks out in Evansville, spreads several blocks

Firefighters, who spent the better part of Saturday fighting the fire, said they'll be on the scene for several days extinguishing hot spots.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A fire broke out at an Evansville warehouse on Saturday and spread several blocks. 

The fire was reported just after 10 a.m., and officials estimated it had spread at least two blocks by mid-afternoon. 

One day later, firefighters said they were still at the scene and warned that the fire is "still very active." The public is being asked to avoid the area and, those who must come near the scene, are being told not to drive around the barricades. 

The fire started in the 1400 block of North Garvin Street and quickly escalated into a four-alarm fire, with agencies from other counties being called in to battle the blaze. 

“Next thing I know, I see flames shooting from this building and fire department and everything come rushing through as I hear this big explosion,” Stephen McKinney Jr., who lives nearby, told WFIE-TV.

Firefighters worked all day to contain the fire, which was estimated to spread across more than 250,000 square feet.

Videos of the fire showed the warehouse's walls collapsing, and scenes of transformers and powerlines catching fire concerned all in the near vicinity, according to a report from WFIE-TV

“Obviously a very large fire,” EFD Division Chief Mike Larson said. “We’re going to be here for a while.”

Meanwhile, the Red Cross was on the scene handing out canteens to first responders.

The smoke plume from the fire could be seen via satellite imagery, the National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky, said in a tweet.

The Evansville Fire Department thanked Evansville/Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency for its assistance through drone footage.

Thank you Evansville / Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency for assisting us. The use of your drones were extremely helpful at this incident.

Posted by Evansville Fire Department on Sunday, January 1, 2023

In an update Saturday night, the Evansville Fire Department said firefighters will remain on the scene extinguishing hot spots for the next couple of days.

EFD said that given cloud cover and weather conditions, a noticeable amount of smoke is likely to remain in the area. 

Firefighters warned this smoke is not healthy to breathe. Residents living near the smoke, especially those with respiratory issues, should make sure doors and windows are properly sealed. 

Crews are making progress, but will be on scene quite a bit longer. Please use caution if you need to be in the area of the 1400 block of Garvin St.

Posted by Evansville Fire Department on Saturday, December 31, 2022

It wasn't immediately known if anyone was in the warehouse when the fire started, although there was no immediate report of injuries.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office sent a representative to the scene.

Firefighters were spraying down a house to prevent the fire from spreading to residential areas.

Power in the area has been shut down by CenterPoint Energy.

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