Thick black smoke rolled over West Jefferson on Wednesday after a fire broke out at an Amazon fulfillment center, forcing an evacuation of the building and backing up traffic on nearby roads. Fire crews from several departments worked to knock down the flames and protect neighboring structures, and officials said there were no immediate reports of injuries.
According to WBNS, West Jefferson Police Chief Brandon Smith said everyone was cleared out of the facility and that State Route 29 was shut down because of the fire. The station reported that about five area fire departments responded and that crews focused on heavy smoke and an apparent roof fire. Members of the public sent in photos showing dark smoke rising from the top of the building, the outlet added.
Where the blaze broke out
The warehouse sits along West Main Street, the local stretch of State Route 29, just south of Interstate 70 in the village's industrial park. Mapping services place an Amazon fulfillment center at that address, according to MapQuest, and Madison County property records list the parcel as Amazon owned in public auditor files.
Response and road impacts
WBNS reported that crews remained at the scene into the afternoon while investigators worked to determine what started the fire. Officials told the station the cause was not immediately known and that the closure of State Route 29 stayed in place while firefighters operated. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the area while emergency work continued.
Why the site matters
The West Jefferson facility is part of Amazon's wider expansion in central Ohio. The company paid about $95 million for a large West Jefferson warehouse earlier this year. Amazon's own press materials have highlighted previous investment and hiring tied to fulfillment centers across Ohio, underscoring the site's role in the regional logistics network.
Investigators had not released a final cause as of Wednesday evening. Local officials said they would provide updates as more information becomes available.
