News
West Virginia Governor Visits Site of Warehouse Fire
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
Update 4:00 p.m.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice says state funding is sustaining the emergency response to a 4-day-old fire at a warehouse in Parkersburg.
Justice on Tuesday toured the 420,000-foot warehouse property Tuesday. The main fire was put out Saturday and firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots.
Justice says 150 air samples have been taken in different locations since Saturday, and all have been within acceptable levels.
Justice says he stepped in with an emergency declaration to keep state funds flowing into Wood County to fight the fire after a contractor indicated it was willing to leave the site.
County Commission President Blair Couch says the county couldn’t afford to fight the fire without the state’s assistance.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is visiting a large warehouse fire that smoldered for a fourth day in Parkersburg.
Justice on Tuesday toured the 420,000-foot warehouse owned by Intercontinental Export Import Inc., or IEI Plastics. According to its website, the company buys and sells an array of recycled plastics worldwide.
The main fire was put out Saturday. Officials have said it may take up to a week to fully extinguish hot spots. As smoke billowed around them, firefighters cleared debris as they worked their way through the warehouse.
Justice declared a state of emergency in Wood County Monday, allowing essential emergency resources to continue battling the fire.
On Twitter, Justice said “The state has stepped to the plate and on my watch we will make sure this situation gets handled properly for our people.”