PHOTOS: Emergency crews battled a massive commercial structure fire in Wood County that started over the weekend.
The Peoples Cartage, Inc. warehouse reportedly caught fire Saturday morning and rekindled Sunday. Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency as firefighters coordinated suppression efforts. The move authorizes agencies at the state level to provide assistance.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is monitoring air quality while federal assistance has been requested to evaluate the nearby Little Kanawha River. For Monday, WVU Parkersburg has closed and Wood County Schools summer programs – including summer feeding programs – have been canceled due to air quality concerns.
More than two dozen fire crews, including tanker trucks, worked overnight and by Monday morning had nearly contained the blaze.
The Salvation Army has responded to the scene, providing food, water and support to first responders. A statement from Peoples Cartage CEO Doug Sibila indicated no employees had been injured. The full extent of damage has yet to be determined.
WCHS-TV ABC/FOX 8 Charleston
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