The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has released an in-depth incident analysis of the mega-warehouse fire that occurred on March 15, 2022, at 9590 Allpoints Parkway in Plainfield, Indiana. This report, conducted by a team of fire service experts, was coordinated by the NFFF at the request of multiple organizations seeking to understand the critical factors that led to the total destruction of the facility.
The fire, which caused significant property loss and economic impact, raised serious questions about how a structure built to modern fire protection standards, and equipped with engineered fire suppression systems, could be completely consumed by flames. Even more concerning, the incident nearly resulted in the loss of at least three firefighters’ lives, highlighting the urgent need for lessons learned.
“This report provides a comprehensive examination of the factors that contributed to the fire’s rapid escalation,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “By understanding the response to this incident and learning more about the design of large-scale warehouse buildings and how the fire protection systems are integrated into an effective response, we aim to improve firefighting operations. At the same time, it will make it safer for the firefighters who are expected to save lives and property.”
Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones emphasized the importance of learning from this incident: “The Plainfield warehouse fire was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of large-scale fires and the challenges they present to even the best-equipped fire departments. This report provides critical insights that will help fire professionals and policymakers strengthen safety measures and improve future responses.”
Plainfield Fire Territory Fire Chief Brent Anderson reflected on the close call for responding crews: “Our firefighters faced extreme conditions that changed in an instant, nearly costing lives. The lessons outlined in this report are invaluable, not only for our department but for fire agencies across the country. We are committed to using this knowledge to enhance training, response strategies, and fire prevention efforts moving forward.”
The report details the sequence of events, fire behavior, and emergency response efforts, offering
crucial insights for fire departments, industry leaders, and policymakers. It underscores the
importance of ongoing research and adaptation of fire protection standards to address emerging
risks in large-scale warehouse environments.
This analysis was made possible through the support and collaboration of the Plainfield Fire
Territory and other key stakeholders dedicated to enhancing firefighter safety and public
awareness.
The full report is available for review at https://www.firehero.org/2025/02/27/plainfield-mega-warehouse-fire-report/
A documentary to accompany the report will be released in late spring 2025.
All photos courtesy Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department.
