(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information and to add photos.)
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the date and the name of the department that was leading the response. Jefferson Township firefighters responded April 8.
An Amazon warehouse west of Columbus was evacuated as firefighters responded to a report of a fire April 8.
Firefighters from multiple departments, led by the Jefferson Township Fire Department, responded about 12:10 p.m. to the Amazon Fulfillment Center, 1550 W. Main St., West Jefferson, on a report of a fire on the roof.
Jefferson Township Fire Chief Dan Gatley told Dispatch news partner NBC4/WMCH-TV that investigators believe 75-100 solar panels caught fire, though he said they remain in the early stages of the investigation.
“There’s minimal damage to the underside of the roof from where the fire was on the roof and the solar panels, but it kind of burnt through just a little bit of the rubber membrane of the roofing and some of the insulation on the bottom side that came down on some of the racks of product, but it was contained to like two racks of product in there, so probably more water damage than there is any smoke or fire damage,” Gatley said.
A Madison Township fire lieutenant told The Dispatch that his department also responded to the scene but was not aware of any reports of injuries.
Amazon told NBC4 that employees were sent home for the rest of the day.
Around 2:15 p.m., workers remained outside the building, and Pleasant Township firefighters were leaving the scene. As employees with megaphones directed traffic around 2:30 p.m., a business representative declined to comment before asking a Dispatch reporter to leave.
Images posted to social media showed a large plume of smoke emanating from the warehouse.
Columbus Fire Lt. Nick Davis said the division had not been called to assist with the fire, but he had noticed the smoke plume to the city’s west.
In addition to the Jefferson, Madison and Pleasant township fire departments, the West Jefferson Police Department and Madison County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.
Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.

source