A massive fire at a 1 million square foot warehouse complex in Tracy, California, was burning out of control early Friday as authorities worked to contain the blaze and began investigating its cause.
The raging inferno sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, with flames and a red-hot glow visible from aerial images. The fire destroyed a medical equipment warehouse and prompted evacuations of nearby facilities, though no injuries have been reported.
The fire ignited Thursday afternoon at a large distribution center for Medline, a major medical-surgical products provider located about 55 miles east of San Francisco. It spread across the street to a FedEx facility, where crews managed to stop its advance, according to Fire Chief Randall Bradley of the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority.
Officials evacuated a large portion of the area as wind increased the risk of spreading embers, said Sergeant Michael Richards of the Tracy Police Department. No homes had been evacuated by early Friday. The warehouse is situated in a large industrial park that also houses fulfillment and distribution centers for Amazon, Home Depot, and FedEx.
Medline confirmed that all employees and other personnel at the site were accounted for, according to the Associated Press. "We are coordinating closely with local authorities and first responders as we assess the fire's impact and will share more details as they become available," a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Medline is a key supplier of latex gloves, masks, surgical instruments, and other medical supplies, playing a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials are evaluating air quality and potential impacts on residents, said Tracy Mayor Dan Arriola. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The blaze was exacerbated by low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds, Bradley noted.
A sprinkler system that appeared to be broken and low water pressure in hydrants at the facility hindered firefighting efforts, Bradley added. The issues seemed to be with the warehouse's water system, not the city's.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
