Amazon distribution center collapses in massive fire as 40 workers scramble to safety
- A major fire broke out at an Amazon distribution warehouse in Redlands, east of Los Angeles on Friday
- The fire broke out around 5:25 am with those living nearby hearing a loud noise
- Around 40 people were working inside at the time but all managed to escape
- It's not clear what started the fire but the building was brand new and was said to have the latest fire protection. The blaze was finally brought under control by 11am
- Authorities said there was no connection to George Floyd protests
By
James Gordon For Dailymail.com
Published: 19:16 EDT, 5 June 2020 | Updated: 04:32 EDT, 6 June 2020
A massive fire destroyed a Southern
California distribution facility that was used to ship items to Amazon customers on Friday morning.
Incredibly there were no injuries and as 40 workers ran for their lives as the warehouse collapsed in the blaze.
Half-a-dozen fire departments were unable to stop flames from destroying the sprawling structure in Redlands, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
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A fire tore through an Amazon Distribution Center in Redlands, California on Friday morning while people were working inside
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There were about 40 employees inside when the fire broke out but all of them managed to escape without injury
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Video from the scene showed huge flames and plumes of black smoke shooting hundreds of feet into the air
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Amazon said the warehouse is operated by a third-party company called Kuehne and Nagel which specifically helps Amazon ship very large items
Thick plumes of smoke could be seen coming out of the building in Redlands, California, as firefighters battled the flames
The nearby 10 Freeway was shut down in both directions for several hours as flames shot high into the air.
The facility operated by the global logistics and supply chain company Kuehne & Nagel was dedicated to servicing Amazon. Business and customer orders will be fulfilled from other sites, spokesman Dominique Nadelhofer said in an email.
'We are not aware of any injuries and understand that everyone was safely evacuated,' Nadelhofer said.
'We are mobilizing support resources for our employees that have been affected. To our knowledge, the cause of the fire is yet unknown.'
One employee told CBSLA that he didn't see sprinklers or hear any fire alarms.
'I didn't hear no fire alarms, I didn't see no fire sprinklers, nothing,' employee Chris Smith said.
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'I didn't hear no fire alarms, I didn't see no fire sprinklers, nothing,' employee Chris Smith said
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The building is new and had the latest fire protection according to firefighters who are working to understand what happened
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Despite the fire, Amazon expects minimal customer impact, as customer orders can be fulfilled from other locations
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This image tweeted by the San Bernadino Fire Department shows firefighters attacking the flames from on high
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Trailers went up in flames as a blaze at a commercial building sent smoke towering into the air above Redlands Friday
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Some employees and others who work in the area were standing outside the building as clouds of gray smoke continued to surround it
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With the building’s roof completely scorched off, some flames were still burning in the blackened debris on the ground
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The blaze was caught on cellphone video by workers who had escaped the blaze from inside
Amazon said the facility was used to ship large products and that it didn't expect the fire to impact customer deliveries.
'We are glad everyone is safe, and thankful for the efforts of the local firefighters and first responders,' said Amazon spokeswoman Lisa Levandowski.
Redlands City Manager Charles M. Duggan Jr. told
Fox 11 there was no connection to the demonstrations over the death of George Floyd.
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At least five fire engines were on site tackling the blaze as the fire continued to rage
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The thick smoke prompted local authorities to issue a health warning over the air quality in the area following the fire
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The warehouse complex has a square footage of about 1.1. million, which is roughly the size of 21 football fields
'It is definitely not protest-related. Something happened on the inside of the building that ignited the fire,' he said.
Fire Chief Jim Topoleski told Fox 11 that in addition to determining the cause, the investigation will look into how such a large fire occurred in a modern building with the latest in fire protection systems.
'Something overwhelmed the sprinkler system immediately to allow the fire to rapidly grow,' he said.
'That is highly concerning, we're looking at a modern building with the latest advances installed inside the building regarding fire protection systems,' Topoleski said. 'It's highly concerning, that's why we're bringing in outside resources to help us look at the cause and origin.'
The region has many enormous e-commerce warehouse and distribution facilities.
video and other photos at link
posted for fair use
A major fire broke out at an Amazon distribution warehouse in Redlands, east of Los Angeles on Friday. The fire broke out around 5:25 am with those living nearby initally hearing a loud noise.
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