PARKERSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Patrick Morrisey has declared a State of Emergency for Wood County as firefighters continue battling a fire at the Peoples Cartage warehouse on Camden Avenue in Parkersburg.
According to the governor’s office, the declaration authorizes state agencies to provide all available resources necessary to support local response efforts, protect public safety, and address any potential environmental impacts related to the fire.
“Protecting the people of Wood County and supporting the brave first responders on the scene are our top priorities,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “This State of Emergency ensures every available state resource is ready to assist local officials for as long as necessary while we continue monitoring conditions and protecting nearby communities.”
Governor Morrisey traveled to Parkersburg on Sunday, where he coordinated with local officials and directed state resources to assist firefighters responding to the warehouse fire.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has deployed personnel from its Environmental Enforcement and Homeland Security and Emergency Response divisions to the scene.
State officials said DEP personnel continue conducting air quality monitoring around the fire using portable monitors and have not detected any air quality readings requiring additional protective actions. The state has also requested assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has deployed additional air monitoring equipment. Environmental officials are also evaluating any potential impacts from firefighting runoff into the nearby Little Kanawha River.
“People should know that we are taking this incident seriously and approaching it with an abundance of caution,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “I appreciate the extraordinary work of our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, and environmental teams. We will continue supporting them until this fire is extinguished and the community is safe.”
The governor’s office said Morrisey remains in constant communication with state officials as response efforts continue. State agencies will continue monitoring conditions and providing support to local responders.
Residents are encouraged to follow guidance from local emergency officials and avoid the area while firefighting operations continue. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
