Blaze at 1m-sq-ft California warehouse rages into third day: 'We're struggling'
Firefighters continue to battle a massive warehouse fire in Tracy, California, with the blaze now in its third day. Officials warn of unhealthy air quality as crews struggle to reach the fire's core.
Fire Continues to Burn
California firefighters continued their battle on Saturday against a blaze that has engulfed a roughly 1 million square foot warehouse in Tracy, a city of more than 100,000 residents about 55 miles east of San Francisco. Officials expect the firefighting efforts to last several more days.
Investigation Underway
The cause and origin of the fire remain unknown, and law enforcement is investigating, according to the South San Joaquin County fire authority. No injuries have been reported.
Firefighting Challenges
"We're struggling a little bit to get to the seed of the fire," said Fire Chief Randall Bradley at a Saturday press conference. "At some point, we're hoping to secure the walls that haven't fallen yet. And to get in and start moving some of the debris around so we can really get water into the seed of the fire." He noted progress is slow.
Earlier, officials said the firefight was hampered by a sprinkler system that appeared to be broken and low water pressure in hydrants. A Medline spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the warehouse's water infrastructure.
Water and Air Quality
Bradley stated that about 5,000 gallons of water per minute have been expended to combat the flames. Heavy smoke is expected in the area for the next few days, though plumes have dissipated since the fire broke out on Thursday.
Officials advised residents, especially those vulnerable to poor air quality, to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed. They also warned residents to avoid debris, which could contain hazardous materials, according to local media.
Warehouse Future
The warehouse is set for demolition, with a new facility expected to be built on the site as it is a key distribution location, Bradley said. Medline supplies gloves, surgical masks, and medical apparel, among other products.
Medline Response
A Medline spokesperson said on Saturday that the "vast majority of order lines" had been rerouted to other distribution centers. The company has boosted regional staffing, inventory, and transportation capacity through increased use of MedTrans trucks, third-party carriers, and truck relay operations.
Fire authorities are also coordinating with Medline personnel to retrieve vehicles left behind by employees during evacuation. The spokesperson said they are identifying work opportunities "in the near term" for affected employees.
