Massive Blaze Destroys Amazon Shipments Distributer

Hours ago, a massive fire broke out through a Redlands, California warehouse that helps deliver Amazon shipments, media reports said.

The warehouse, which is located as 2255 West Lugonia Avenue, is operated by Kuehne and Nagel, a logistics company that helps Amazon ship extra-large items to customers.

Photos and videos from the scene showed the building and nearby Amazon Prime trucks engulfed in flames. A spokesperson for the giant retailer company said that all employees were safely evacuated from the building.

A half-dozen fire departments were unable to stop flames from destroying the sprawling structure in Redlands, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The nearby Interstate 10 freeway was shut down temporarily as flames shot high into the air.

“All I could hear is my supervisors yelling, ‘fire,’ and ‘get out of the building as fast as you can,’” employee Aquila Canteen told CBS LA. “And I could see people scattering.”

There were about 40 employees inside when the fire broke out. “Within 15 minutes the whole back of the building collapsed and exploded,” Canteen said.

In a statement to CBS LA, Amazon said: “We are glad everyone is safe, and thankful for the efforts of the local firefighters and first responders." “This site was operated by a third party and we will support them throughout this process.”

The fire was brought under control by 11 a.m. (local time) but crews with the Redlands and San Bernardino County firefighters remained on scene dousing hot spots.

Fire Chief Jim Topoleski said investigators will look into how such a large fire occurred in a modern building with the latest in fire protection systems.

The region has many enormous e-commerce warehouse and distribution facilities.