Three-Alarm Fire Engulfs Alliance Exterior Construction in Highlandtown

HIGHLANDTOWN — Firefighters worked tirelessly to combat a three-alarm fire that broke out at a warehouse in Southeast Baltimore on Wednesday afternoon.

The Baltimore City Fire Department received multiple emergency calls regarding the blaze at 4215 Eastern Avenue around 3 p.m. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy smoke and flames, prompting them to declare it a working fire.

Fire Chief James Wallace noted that firefighters opted against entering the building due to safety concerns. "This is a metal building, this is an older building, so structural stability, given the amount of fire that was found when they arrived, was a concern," he explained.

Fortunately, all individuals inside the warehouse were able to evacuate safely, and no injuries have been reported. Although hazardous materials were stored within the facility, they were secured properly, minimizing potential risks.

Firefighters faced challenges in accessing water to fight the fire effectively, as hydrants in the immediate area were limited. Chief Wallace remarked, "Hydrants were a bit of a challenge down here, plus, this is kind of toward a dead-end street. We've really taxed out all the hydrants in the immediate area; they've actually made lines from up at Eastern and Haven."

The fire significantly disrupted traffic, and officers at the scene even had to respond to a separate crash around 5 p.m.

Local resident Amya Forest expressed concern over the incident, stating, "There's a lot going on in this area. It's been a couple of fires in the area, like small kitchen fires and stuff, but never this big."

By 6 p.m., firefighters had contained the fire but remained on-site to extinguish any remaining hot spots. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, though it is believed to be accidental.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR 2 News Baltimore (source).