MASSIVE RESPONSE( Firefighters from 40 departments battle warehouse blaze at Marshall)

Marshal- More than 40 fire departments from seven counties battled a fire Friday at a warehouse owned by FutureX Industry in the small town of Marshall in Parke County.

Fire departments from Parke, Montgomery, Fountain, Vermillion, Putnam, Clay and Vigo counties answered the call at 226 E. Guion St. with tanker trucks, aerial trucks and manpower.

Also responding were the Parke County Sheriff’s Department, Parke County EMS, Parke County REMC, Vectren, Ceres Solutions and many members of the local Amish community.

"I want to thank everybody," Marshall Assistant Fire Chief Jason Ryan said. "It was just remarkable."

Ryan said that firefighters were on the scene until 7 p.m. He said the fire marshal was on the scene, but was unable to determine the exact cause of the structure fire. He will return Monday.

The large structure that burned was one of four buildings used by FutureX. It was used to store resin and plastic pellets used to make plastic products.

“All of our employees are safe and are good,” said FutureX Vice President Brent Thompson. “Our local fire districts are doing a great job.”

Rick Ransom, a 35-year employee with the company, said he was alone in the structure when he discovered the fire. He was able to get out unharmed. 

The warehouse included a resin grinding facility in the south end of the building, and that is where the fire is believed to have started in an electrical panel, said Craig Eldridge, FutureX maintenance employee.

The building, which was filled with resin pellets, was quickly engulfed by flames. Though firefighters tried to save one of the facility’s silos, which was also filled with resin, it was eventually destroyed. 

Initially, firefighters were concerned flames would reach a 500 gallon liquid petroleum tank north of the structure. It did not. Two homes directly north of the fire were evacuated as a precaution.

Neighbors reported they originally thought someone was burning trash. But after they heard a booming sound, they looked outside to see flames and quickly called 911.

Parke County Sheriff Justin Cole said the fire was first reported at about 11 a.m. Firefighters were on the scene throughout the day and into the evening hours. No injuries were reported, however a Coal Creek tanker was severely damaged during the situation.

 Source:journalreview.com