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Fire Crews Investigating 4-Alarm Warehouse Fire

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --  Nearly 24 hours ago, parts of north Baltimore were shut down due to a massive fire. Flames ripped through a vacant warehouse in Woodberry, forcing more than 100 firefighters to respond.

A four-alarm fire in the 3600 block of Clipper Rd quickly spiraled out of control. Baltimore City Fire Department crews worked overnight to get a 4-alarm vacant warehouse fire under control. Fire crews did not enter the warehouse, reporting that the roof collapsed through the second floor. They were able to get the fire under control just after 4 a.m. Friday.

RELATED: More Than 100 Firefighters Respond To Northwest Baltimore Fire

From up top it's easy to get an idea of how massive the fire was. Many who live in the neighborhood feared for worst, worried the fire would spread.

As flames barrelled though a vacant warehouse along Clipper Road.

The fire erupted around 9:00 p.m. Thursday night.

"Three-story vacant warehouse, fire showing second and third floors, requesting 3rd alarm."

What was once a tire factory, burns for hours.

"We'll work in teams, this is a large warehouse, units use caution."

The roof collapses and more than 100 firefighters battle the intense flames, forcing both the light rail and parts of I-83 to shut down.

"Light rail was notified, they're going to stop traffic in all directions."

Dramatic images from the WJZ drone show the aftermath Friday morning, giving a better idea of just how massive the fire was.

It took crews nearly eight hours just to get the fire under control, and once again brings up the dangers of vacant warehouses across the city.

Just days ago - a vacant warehouse in southwest Baltimore caught fire. Back in January, it was the same story with another empty warehouse in the city.

"We have lights and try to illuminate the place as much as possible because sometimes its' so dark you can't see the hand in front of your face," says Lt. Darryl Williams with Baltimore City Fire Department.

The matter of seconds can be the difference between life and death.

"We don't second guess, we try to move with a sense of urgency and fire is unpredictable," says Lt. Williams.

Both light rail and 83 south opened back up early Friday morning. Officials tell WJZ there's no update on the fire investigation, but no one was injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

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