Massive fire raging in West Baltimore as firefighters battle blaze
(WBFF) — A seven-alarm fire remains ablaze in West Baltimore as firefighters scramble to put the blaze out.
The building on fire is a mattress warehouse, though Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace noted that they aren't entirely sure what, if anything, else is in the building, as well as the quantity of mattresses and other objects.
Wallace also said that a unique challenge to putting this fire out is that the building backs up to train tracks, so BCFD is working with MARC and Amtrak to depower the lines in the area before fighting the fire on the building's east side.
No injures have been reported in this incident, though some nearby residents on the 600 block of North Bentalou Street have been told to "relocate." In a statement, the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region said it is assisting 15 households displaced by the fire. The evacuated residents will be temporarily housed in a hotel, the statement read.
Wallace said he expects to be engaged with the fire for at least several hours. It had not yet been declared under control as of Wallace's updated information briefing around 9:30 p.m.
Wallace said the initial call included a note about a car driving into the building possibly being the cause of the fire, but this has not yet been confirmed. BCFD investigators and Baltimore Police Department arson investigators are still investigating.
Mayor Brandon Scott and Wallace said several city agencies are assisting in this instance, including the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Public Works, Department of Transportation, and more.
The seven alarms raised over the fire generally refers to the number of firefighters on the scene, among other factors. Wallace said there's over 200 firefighters actively fighting the fire.
This story will be updated as more information is released.