Parkersburg, West Virginia, is the scene of a significant emergency response after a large warehouse fire prompted firefighters from multiple agencies to battle intense flames. The blaze, which broke out at the Peoples Cartage, Inc. warehouse on Camden Avenue, has drawn a massive response from local and regional emergency crews as officials work to contain the fire and protect nearby residents.
According to emergency officials, the fire initially began when cardboard boxes caught fire. Although crews responded and appeared to stop the blaze on Saturday, the fire reignited Sunday morning, spreading through multiple warehouse buildings. Authorities say at least three warehouses have now been affected, making suppression efforts more difficult due to the size of the structures and the amount of combustible material inside.
As smoke continued to billow over the area, the Wood County Emergency Management Agency issued a shelter-in-place order for residents within the affected zone. The advisory covers the area stretching from Route 50 to Interstate 77 and from Camden Avenue to 7th Street. Residents have been urged to remain indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel until the situation improves. Officials have also asked motorists to stay away from the area to allow emergency vehicles unrestricted access.
A large number of agencies have responded to the incident, including multiple fire departments from across Wood County, the Wood County Mobile Command Unit, West Virginia State Police, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and emergency medical personnel from WVU Medicine. Firefighters continue working under challenging conditions as they attempt to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading further.
At this time, officials have not released information regarding injuries or the full extent of property damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and emergency crews are expected to remain on scene for an extended period. Authorities encourage residents to monitor official updates and continue following all safety instructions until the shelter-in-place order is lifted.
