A massive fire at a warehouse in Alexandria, Virginia, left a firefighter with a minor injury, damaged businesses and closed traffic Tuesday evening, authorities said.
The Alexandria Fire Department responded to the 4400 block of Wheeler Avenue for a fire that started at about 9:20 p.m. The three-alarm fire was so large, firefighters only battled it from outside of the warehouse, the department said.
According to reports, no one was inside the warehouse at the time of the fire. A firefighter was taken to a hospital and treated for a minor injury.
The fire was contained as of 11 p.m., the department said. Crews remained at the scene for 20 hours to put out hotspots, completing intensive firefighting by about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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The building remains unsafe to enter, and work to make the structure safe for fire investigators will continue Thursday.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department assisted in the response.
Video captured from a nearby high-rise apartment building shows flames and plumes of smoke billowing into the air.
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AMi Direct, a marketing and digital printing business, resides in the warehouse with Jeffery’s Catering and the gym Healthy Baller.
AMi Direct appeared to be the only business with physical damage from the fire. Its roof fell in, and it had many broken windows.
Power was cut off to the warehouse, firefighters said. A strong smell of smoke remained in the area long after the worst of the fire was extinguished.
The business owners told News4 that today is not a normal business day and they’ve got their work cut out for them. Employees were seen walking away from the warehouse with belongings.
Alexandria police closed streets in the area in both directions.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
