44K SF Indiana Bubble Wrap Company Blaze Sends Toxic Fumes Into Air In Kentland ‘Avoid Area’

KENTLAND, IN. (THECOUNT) A massive fire is currently burning at a bubble wrap facility in northwestern Indiana Wednesday morning, according to reports.

The blaze, which is emitting “toxic fumes,” caused Emergency crews to warn residents to keep their windows shut and stay clear of the area, Fox59 reports Wednesday morning.

We found a product packaging company operating in Kentland called “ICC INTERNATIONAL CUSHIONING CO.”

Fire crews were called to the International Cushioning Company around 9:30 p.m. It locates the building off US 52 just south of US 24. Kentland Fire Chief Matt Wittenborn told WLFI it started as a small fire, but the flames quickly spread due to the number of flammable materials in the building, reports Fox59.

The company makes bubble wrap, packing peanuts, packing foam, and packing paper, according to their website.

Fire crews say it is emitting very thick, toxic smoke, and they want residents to avoid the area and keep their windows closed.

Wittenborn said there were 15 employees inside the building at the time of the fire, but everyone safely evacuated.

This building is over 44,000 square feet. Fire officials say it’s a total loss.

Wittenborn told WLFI they expect to continue battling the flames for the rest of the morning, and they may be out there until the afternoon. There are numerous agencies from around the surrounding area assisting the Kentland Fire Department.

DEVELOPING::

Geo quick facts: Kentland is a town in Jefferson Township, Newton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,748 at the 2010 census. Indiana is a U.S. state in the Midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America. Indiana is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 United States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th U.S. state on December 11, 1816 – Wikipedia.