Over 200 firefighters responded to a major blaze engulfing multiple high-rise warehouses in downtown St. Louis early Friday morning. The fire broke out near 2nd and Gratiot Streets close to the Mississippi River, prompting a massive emergency response.
St. Louis City Fire Department Chief Dennis Jenkerson confirmed that several buildings were fully involved when firefighters arrived around 3 a.m. The fire has been largely contained, but flare-ups are expected as embers continue to burn. No injuries have been reported so far, though multiple homeless individuals were evacuated from inside and near the warehouses.
The historic nature of the warehouses added complexity to firefighting efforts. One of the century-old structures partially collapsed during the incident, as seen in live footage near Interstate 44. Jenkerson warned the operation could last several days, describing it as a “two or three-day event.”
Electrical outages in the surrounding area complicated early firefighting work. Ameren, the local utility provider, is working to restore power once it is deemed safe. According to Jenkerson, it is too soon to determine the fire’s cause.
Traffic disruptions have been significant around the fire zone. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is managing road closures at key intersections, including:
1. 4th Street and Gratiot Street
2. 4th Street and Lombard Street
3. Broadway and Chouteau Avenue
Over 200 firefighters from multiple agencies coordinated their efforts to control the blaze at its peak. The swift mobilization helped prevent casualties and limited further damage to nearby structures.
Residents and commuters are advised to avoid the downtown St. Louis area until the fire is fully extinguished and authorities declare the scene safe. Updates will continue to be provided through local news outlets and official channels throughout the duration of the firefighting efforts.
Read more at: www.ksdk.com
