Additional Coverage:
Firefighters continue their efforts to control a massive blaze that erupted Thursday at a Medline Industries medical supply warehouse in Tracy, California. The fire completely destroyed the 1 million-square-foot facility.
The blaze began around 1 p.m. Thursday, prompting evacuations not only at the Medline building but also at nearby warehouses, including facilities operated by FedEx and Amazon, according to NBC affiliate KCRA Sacramento. By Friday, most businesses in the area had resumed operations, allowing drivers to return and load supplies.
Authorities reported no injuries linked to the fire, despite the thick black smoke and debris that spread into surrounding neighborhoods. South San Joaquin County Fire Authority Chief Randall Bradley said the fire is believed to have started on the roof of the warehouse, with firefighters encountering heavy flames upon arrival. He noted that challenging conditions-high winds, elevated temperatures, and low humidity-hampered firefighting efforts.
Fire crews were unable to enter the building to battle the flames directly, and sprinklers inside the warehouse were not functioning at the time. Bradley indicated that water pressure issues at nearby hydrants further complicated the response, significantly impacting suppression efforts. Deputy Chief Brian Bagley confirmed that the sprinkler system had recently been tested, but without it, the fire quickly engulfed the entire building in less than an hour.
Bradley projected that the firefighting operation would continue for several days, describing the incident as exceptionally rare given the scale of the warehouse fire. Approximately 120 of the warehouse’s 900 employees were present when the fire broke out.
Sparks from the main fire ignited smaller blazes nearby, including one at a FedEx facility, which has since been fully extinguished. However, air quality remains a serious concern for the community. San Joaquin County officials warned that the smoke contains respiratory irritants, toxic gases, carcinogens, and at least one neurotoxin, advising residents in the vicinity to stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
Medline Industries, which describes itself as the largest provider of medical-surgical products, confirmed that all employees affected by the fire have been accounted for. The company is currently assessing the damage and working with local authorities as firefighting efforts continue.