24 April 2023 , 14:32
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Shocking footage shows a massive fire tear through a warehouse sending a plume of smoke high into the air with "injuries reported".
Over 140 firefighters are on the scene of a blaze in Philadelphia, US.
The local fire department confirmed one person was treated for injuries and taken to the hospital.
Footage taken from the air shows a fire raging across a large section of the industrial building.
The blaze broke out shortly before 10 am on Monday in the city’s Wissinoming neighbourhood.
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Although initially a three alarm fire this has been upgraded to four. The Philadelphia Fire Department has said 140 firefighters are at the scene.
A thick wall of black smoke coming from the blaze can be seen across the city.
Aerial shot shows the extent of the blazeReports suggest a person became trapped under a forklift truck and a possible explosion occurred.
One person has been taken to hospital. Their condition is not yet known.
A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Fire Department told Mirror Online: "We can confirm one person was treated by our EMS personnel and taken to the hospital.
"There are about 140+ PFD members responding to the 4-alarm fire. There is a media staging area being set up at State Road & Van Kirk."
It is not yet clear how the fire started.
Local reporter Dan Patrick covering the incident for 6ABC wrote: "3 alarm warehouse fire in the 5100 block of Darkrun Lane in the Wissinoming section Philadelphia. Injuries reported at the scene."
The smoke could be seen from the nearby I-95 (@ARobertsCBS/Twitter)A video taken from nearby the scene shows a terrifying cloud of grey/ black smoke billowing above the city. In the foreground a white picket fence can be seen alongside people's houses. .
Drivers are being advised to avoid the area as thick black smoke wreaths nearby roads.
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A spokesperson for Philadelphia Fire Department said: "PFD is on the scene of a 4-alarm fire in Wissinoming. Approx."
Pictures show the massive pillar of smoke (@crphotos_215/Twitter)
An alarmed bystander took a photo (@crphotos_215/Twitter)A local reporter driving on the nearby I-95 shared a video showing the sky covered with thick smoke.
Alicia Roberts with CBS wrote: "Firefighters are battling a massive fire in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia. Smoke can be seen from 95 and is causing delays in and out of the city."
Emergency officials have asked all residents in the area of the fire to stay indoors for now.
This is due to the amount of smoke in the air.
Smoke seen above homes in Philadelphia (@martina_morrell/Twitter)The Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management say they will continue to monitor the situation.
The shelter-in-place order means people nearby should
- Get indoors and stay there
- Close windows and turn off AC
- Use tape or towels to seal gaps around doors and windows
- Make sure you have bottled water and food with you
- Use social media or texts to speak with family and keep phone lines open for emergency communication
- Use 911 only for emergencies and call 311 for general information.