Smoke From Huge Walmart Fire Could Be Seen From Space

(Bloomberg) -- A huge fire at a Walmart distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana, emitted a plume of smoke so vast it could be seen from space. 

The billowing black smoke could be seen for miles around the 1.2-million-square-feet site and was picked up by a weather satellite as hundreds of firefighters tackled the blaze.

Twenty-four fire departments have banded together to fight the fire, according to a tweet from the Plainfield Fire Territory account. 

“We’re thankful to local emergency crews for their quick response and for helping us account for the safety of our associates and those at the facility,” Walmart said in an emailed statement. “We’d like to emphasize our gratitude to first responders for their efforts in maintaining the safety of everyone at the facility.” 

Walmart said that it is continuing to work with police and fire personnel. 

A clip posted on Twitter by the National Weather Service Indianapolis gave a satellite’s-eye view of the plume spreading across the surrounding area on Wednesday afternoon.

People living nearby were warned to stay indoors and stay away from falling debris, the Indianapolis Star reported. The distribution center stocked clothing, food and electronics, some made of materials which could become toxic when burned, the paper reported.

All 1,000 staff working at the warehouse when the fire broke out were evacuated safely, according to the newspaper, while one firefighter was injured.

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