Walmart claims dozens of FDs’ response to Ind. warehouse fire made it worse

By Leila Merrill

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Tort claim notices seeking damages related to an Indiana Walmart distribution center fire in March name more than 30 fire departments, including the Plainfield Fire Territory, Fox59 reported.

Crews from more than 30 agencies worked for 76 hours to put out the warehouse fire.

The tort claims filed this month by multiple law firms say that first responders’ actions made the fire worse.

In one notice, attorneys for Walmart say that the Plainfield Fire Territory directed the center’s fire suppression system to be deactivated or disabled before the facility doors were opened. The notice claims that this action allowed additional oxygen to enter the center before the fire was extinguished, causing it to grow and spread.

The notice, according to the news outlet, said that the total value of the damages is being investigated but it already exceeds the $5,000,000 statutory limit of the Indiana Tort Claims Act.

Other notices were filed on behalf of insurance companies and insurance underwriters.

With commenting on the litigation, the Town of Plainfield issued a statement expressing pride in first responders.

“The Town of Plainfield is proud of the heroic response by the Plainfield Fire Territory and the supporting services from all over central Indiana who risked their personal safety to protect lives. The safety and security of life is always the Plainfield Fire Territory’s highest priority. The Town of Plainfield and the Plainfield Fire Territory remains committed to providing fire and emergency medical services to the residents and visitors of Plainfield.”