A massive fire at an Ontario warehouse drew a large Riverside County mutual aid and fire-fighting presence Tuesday, the Riverside County Fire Department reported.
Although the fire started in the early hours of Tuesday, April 7, ash and air quality continued to impact nearby residents hours later. The Ontario Fire Department urged children and seniors to remain indoors if possible.
One person was taken into custody in connection with possible involvement in the fire, Ontario Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Mike Widdell told reporters at the scene.
Fire crews responded to the Kimberly Clark Warehouse in the 9500 block at the Merrill Avenue at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday and found the approximately 1-million-square-foot warehouse ablaze.
By 7:46 a.m., the Ontario Fire Department reported that the fire had been contained.
Ontario fire resources needed the assistance from Riverside County fire agencies to battle the immense blaze.
The first-arriving unit reported heavy fire through the roof. Due to the heavy fire conditions, Ontario Fire Department requested a second-alarm augmentation from several outside agencies, including CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Dept., which brought in additional mutual aid resources, including 10 engine companies, one truck company, one squad, two battalion chiefs and one division chief, according to the county fire department.
Widdell said 140 fire personnel are battling the flames and fire crews are currently in a defensive fire attack.
OFD reported that all employees inside the facility had been safely evacuated. No injuries had been reported.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Fire in Ontario, California burning massive Kimberly Clark warehouse
Reporting by City News Service / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
