Amazon Warehouse On Fire At Brandon Road: Joliet Fire Department Offers More Details On What Happened

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Fire Department Battalion Chief Paul Yanak issued a press release late Monday night offering more details about the late afternoon fire at the Amazon warehouse at 4300 Brandon Road.

He said the fire was reported around 3:30 p.m.

Joliet Patch also inquired whether Monday's fire has resulted in the Amazon production facility being shut down.

"Their operation is shut down for now. I don't have a timeline when they will be back online," he responded.

Company 3 arrived to find the large commercial warehouse filled with smoke, and the sprinkler system activated. As crews entered, the fire was deep inside the warehouse and beyond reach of the initial attack lines. The crews relocated to the south end of the building to make an interior attack on the fire. Fire crews were challenged with zero viability, a heavy fire load, and material falling from the storage racks, according to Yanak.

With the sprinkler system keeping the fire in check, crews worked around the storage racks and began attacking the fire. The roof was opened over the fire to increase visibility. Roof crews noted fire above the sprinklers that the attack crews could not see from the floor.

After the main body of fire was extinguished, crews worked isle by isle to remove product and extinguish any remaining spot fires.

The initial crews remained on the scene for over 5 hours, extinguishing hot spots and checking for extension. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for a shoulder injury. A crew of firefighters will remain on the scene overnight with the sprinkler system out of service to ensure there are no flare ups.

Fire crews from stations 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 responded to the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.