A large and dangerous warehouse fire erupted Monday evening in Baltimore, triggering widespread disruptions in train service and prompting emergency evacuations of nearby homes. The blaze, which broke out at a vacant, multi-story structure previously used for mattress storage, has had far-reaching impacts on both passenger rail transportation and the surrounding community.
The structure, described as a four-story warehouse, has long been unused but still contains flammable materials, including a large cache of mattresses.
As thick, dark smoke billowed into the air and the fire continued to intensify, rail services in and out of the area were swiftly halted. Amtrak, which operates numerous routes through Baltimore, suspended all passenger trains traveling between Baltimore and key destinations such as Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, Delaware.
In a statement posted to social media, Amtrak Northeast explained that local emergency officials had placed a complete hold on all train tracks in the western part of the city due to the close proximity of the fire to the rail lines.
The disruption affected both weekday and evening services, stranding commuters and causing delays that extended well into the night.
Fire Chief James Wallace provided further insight into the challenges facing firefighting crews. The warehouse, which sits dangerously close to several major train tracks, posed a logistical challenge. Before firefighters could fully engage the blaze from the trackside, they needed to coordinate with Amtrak to ensure that all electrical power to the surrounding rail infrastructure was safely shut down. “The proximity to active train tracks has made our job far more complex,” Wallace said during a media briefing. “We can’t risk firefighter safety with live power lines nearby.”
Wallace described the structure as being “at least a four-story building” with numerous divided storage sections. While one section is known to contain a significant quantity of mattresses, other parts of the building remain inaccessible due to dense smoke and heat, making it unclear what else might be stored inside. The extent of potential fuel for the fire is still unknown, adding an extra layer of risk to firefighting operations.
The blaze has also complicated emergency response due to the limitations of local infrastructure. Located in a residential section of the city, the warehouse is surrounded by a network of water mains that are not equipped to handle the large-scale water flow required to battle such a massive inferno. “We’ve had to bring in additional water apparatus to maintain pressure and coverage.”
As a safety precaution, the American Red Cross announced that residents from 15 nearby households had been evacuated. Emergency shelters were quickly set up to accommodate those displaced by the fire, while local officials worked to assess air quality and structural risks in the vicinity. Volunteers assisted evacuees with food, water, and temporary housing arrangements.
In response to the growing emergency, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office began actively monitoring the situation. Kamau Marshall, a spokesperson for the mayor, said the city is fully prepared to deploy additional resources as needed.
Residents across Baltimore and neighboring areas reported seeing large plumes of smoke rising from the site, visible from several miles away. The fire’s intensity was exacerbated by the stored materials inside, especially the flammable mattresses, which contributed to fast-moving flames and thick clouds of smoke.
Environmental and health officials are also monitoring the smoke’s impact on air quality in surrounding neighborhoods. While no injuries have been reported so far, authorities urged residents to remain indoors, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers if available to minimize smoke exposure. Crews were also assessing whether the fire released any hazardous chemicals into the air or surrounding environment.
Public transportation agencies issued advisories throughout the evening, warning travelers of continued delays and recommending alternative travel options where available. Passengers who had booked long-distance travel or planned to catch flights from BWI Airport faced cancellations and rescheduling, as Amtrak and MARC services remained offline with no clear timeline for resumption.
Local businesses near the scene were also affected, with some forced to close early due to safety concerns and road closures. Traffic around the warehouse was redirected, and several streets were blocked off to allow fire engines and other emergency vehicles to access the area more effectively.
Despite the extensive damage and logistical setbacks, fire officials remain hopeful that the situation will be contained. However, they emphasized that full containment and investigation could take several days. Structural instability of the burned warehouse is a concern, and engineers may need to assess the building before any efforts at demolition or cleanup can begin.
The incident underscores the risks posed by vacant industrial buildings in urban settings, especially those left with combustible materials inside. City leaders said they will investigate whether proper safety inspections had been conducted on the warehouse and what steps can be taken to prevent similar situations in the future.
As of late Monday night, emergency crews were still actively battling the flames, using ladder trucks and high-pressure hoses to douse hotspots.
For now, train services remain suspended, displaced families await updates, and the city of Baltimore watches closely as emergency teams continue their fight against one of the largest fires the city has seen in recent memory.