Thick black smoke filled the sky over Parkersburg on Sunday after a fire reignited at a warehouse, forcing road closures and drawing emergency crews from across Wood County.
The blaze at Peoples Cartage, Inc. on Camden Avenue burned through a wooden structure, sending plumes of smoke visible from US Route 50 and nearby locations. Firefighters have not yet contained the fire.
The fire began Saturday when cardboard boxes ignited inside the warehouse, according to Wood County Emergency Management and local outlet WTAP. Crews brought it under control that day, but it flared up again on Sunday.
All workers inside the building were evacuated safely, the Marietta Times reported. No injuries have been confirmed.
Wood County 911 Center described the response as an all-county effort. “It’s being treated as an all-county fire so we have representatives or members from all of our county agencies,” a supervisor told WTAP.
Officials closed Camden Avenue and Rayon Drive to traffic. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area.
Photos released by the volunteer fire department showed flames tearing through the building and dense smoke rising overhead. Fire trucks remained positioned in front of the structure.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is scheduled to visit the site.
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Smoke Drifts Across City, Residents Report Poor Air Quality
Bystanders along US Route 50 near the Erickson All Sports Facility spotted the drifting smoke. Local residents posted photos and videos on social media showing the plumes blocking sunlight.
One resident, Bailey, said the smoke was “beginning to block out the sun in Parkersburg.” Another, Chadwick, shared views from nearby, noting he was “too close for comfort.”
Concerns about air quality spread quickly. Social media posts reflected worry over safety as the fire continued. Many offered support for firefighters, EMS workers, and police.
Officials Provide Limited Updates as Fire Burns
WTAP reported that officials have not released additional details on containment efforts. Daily Mail reached out to Wood County 911 for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
The warehouse belongs to Peoples Cartage, Inc., a business in the Parkersburg area. The cause of the initial ignition remains under investigation.
Wood County spans several communities along the Ohio River. The fire’s location on Camden Avenue places it near residential and commercial zones, though evacuation orders beyond the immediate site were not immediately detailed.
Governor to Assess Damage as Recovery Efforts Begin
Governor Morrisey’s planned visit signals state-level attention to the incident. Local agencies continue to manage the scene while monitoring for any spread to surrounding areas.
This marks the second day of active firefighting at the site. Saturday’s initial response contained the flames temporarily, but Sunday’s rekindling required renewed mobilization.
No estimates on damage or potential economic impact were available. Peoples Cartage, Inc. has not issued a public statement.
Emergency crews remain on site as conditions evolve. Residents are advised to monitor local alerts for air quality and traffic updates. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses and the governor arrives.
This is a more thoroughly written article than any I have read from the local news here in Parkersburg where I reside. This fire is another disaster like the Ames fire in 2017. I appreciate her professionalism and the fact that Lydia has compiled more facts on this disaster than any other single journalist. West Virginia has many problems and the people need journalists who will deliver the truth with absolute integrity and in a timely manner.