Baltimore Train Services Disrupted Due To Massive Warehouse Fire, Threat Of Collapse

Train services in and around Baltimore remained suspended early Tuesday after a massive warehouse fire broke out Monday night, threatening nearby tracks, officials said.

The Baltimore City Fire Department said crews responded to a fire at a vacant mattress warehouse at 2205 West Lanvale Street shortly before 7 p.m. Monday. Arriving to find heavy fire, more than 200 firefighters were ultimately called to the scene. The fire department said 30 residents were evacuated from the nearby area and provided emergency shelter.

As crews battled the blaze near Edmondson Avenue and Bentalou Street in West Baltimore overnight, Amtrak announced cancellations for several trains running through Baltimore between Washington, D.C., and New York. Shortly before 7 a.m. Monday, fire officials said Amtrak service was partially restored, but restricted to only one track.

Certain MARC commuter trains, meanwhile, remained suspended. Morning service on the Penn Line was cancelled due to concerns about the warehouse potentially collapsing onto the track.

“Due to last night’s fire near West Baltimore, and concerns that the structure may collapse on to the tracks, morning service on the Penn Line is cancelled,” the Maryland Transit Administration said in a service alert. “Passengers are encouraged to utilize the Camden Line, or other alternatives. A decision about afternoon service will be made later today. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

Photos and videos shared on social media show a large amount of thick smoke billowing from the multistory warehouse, which reportedly still contained stored mattresses.

As of Tuesday morning, the fire was contained to the warehouse and crews remained on scene to handle hotspots and “a deep seated fire in multiple locations,” the fire department said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.