A massive fire at a 1 million square foot warehouse complex in Tracy, California, raged out of control early Friday as authorities worked to contain the blaze and investigate its cause. The inferno sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, with flames and a red glow visible from aerial footage. The fire destroyed a medical equipment warehouse and prompted evacuations of nearby facilities, though no injuries have been reported.
Fire Breaks Out at Medline Distribution Center
The fire ignited Thursday afternoon at a large distribution center for Medline, a major supplier of medical-surgical products, located about 55 miles east of San Francisco. It spread across the street to a FedEx facility, where crews managed to stop its advance, according to Fire Chief Randall Bradley of the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority.
Evacuations and Impacts
Officials evacuated a large portion of the area due to wind conditions that heightened the risk of spreading embers, said Sergeant Michael Richards of the Tracy Police Department. No homes had been evacuated by early Friday. The warehouse sits in a large industrial park that also houses fulfillment and distribution centers for Amazon, Home Depot, and FedEx. Medline confirmed that all employees and personnel at the site were accounted for, as reported by the Associated Press.
"We are coordinating closely with local authorities and first responders as we assess the fire's impact and will share more details as they become available," a Medline spokesperson said in a statement. Medline, a key supplier of latex gloves, masks, surgical instruments, and other medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now assessing the damage.
Air Quality and Investigation
Officials are evaluating air quality and potential impacts on residents, said Tracy Mayor Dan Arriola. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The blaze was exacerbated by low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds, according to Bradley. A broken sprinkler system and low water pressure in hydrants at the facility hindered firefighting efforts. Bradley noted that the issues appeared to be with the warehouse's water system, not the city's.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
