Authorities ordered evacuations due to a 3-alarm commercial
fire at a cold storage facility in Puyallup, Washington state on Saturday. The
evacuation orders came due to concerns about toxic fumes from the facility and
the risk of large explosions due to the fire.

According to a statement by the Central Pierce Fire and
Rescue, hundreds of fire-fighters responded to the fire at Washington Cold
Storage Inc. The Puyallup police has ordered residences and businesses within 1.1
miles of the fire to evacuate now.”

According to reports, the building has 1,000 pounds of
anhydrous ammonia, a chemical used for refrigeration

“Currently, we are at a third alarm with assistance from
multiple Pierce County fire agencies,” the fire department said.

The police said that a reverse 911 call to homes and
businesses in the radius of the fire is telling those affected to evacuate.

An evacuation location has been set up at the Puyallup
Nazarene Church on Seventh Avenue for those affected who needed a place to go.
According to Shelter manager Mike Boisture, the facility has been availed by about
64 people till shortly before 10 am while some were making arrangements to stay
with family.

Police does not have an estimate the timeline of safe return
of the residents. The Saturday farmer’s market in downtown Puyallup has also
been cancelled.

“All available Puyallup Police Officers have been recalled
to duty and are going through the neighbourhoods to assist with the evacuation
notice. If you see or hear an officer announcing the evacuation we encourage
you to evacuate,” police said.