A stubborn fire at a warehouse in Baltimore had first responders stepping back for an exterior attack on the flames as they disrupted a major passenger rail line along the Mid-Atlantic coast.
The fire in west Baltimore was reported shortly before 7 p.m., and it quickly escalated in scale from 4-alarm, to 5-alarm, the Baltimore Fire Department said in a series of statements on social media.
The department characterized the location as a vacant mattress warehouse with multiple stories. “At this time, the fire remains active and not under control,” it said.
No injuries have been reported.
Amtrak Northeast said the fire was close enough to its passenger rail corridor that transports people between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., that it was pausing service as a precaution.
“Crews are working diligently to ensure safety and restore service as soon as possible,” the rail service said in a statement.
The fire was in the 130-year-old Midtown-Edmondson neighborhood on the west side of the city. The fire department requested that people avoid the area near Edmondson Avenue and Bantalou Street.
Citing Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace, NBC affiliate WBAL of Baltimore reported that some people in the area were being moved out, and that aid from the Red Cross — which often helps residents displaced by fire find tempor shelter — has been requested.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
