Indianapolis firefighters get Southeastside warehouse blaze under control

Indianapolis firefighters were busy battling a two-alarm vacant warehouse fire Friday night on the city's Southeastside.

The fire was reported around 7:45 p.m. at a 30,000-square-foot warehouse in the 2000 block of South Draper Street, near Raymond Street just east of the I-65 interchange.

A huge plume of heavy black smoke was visible for miles from the fire scene, and smoke was reportedly blanketing the area of Draper and Raymond streets.

Firefighters were "(hitting the) fire hard with multiple streams" of water, reported the IFD's website — @IFD_NEWS — around 8:30 p.m. They were pouring thousands of gallons of water on the blaze in an attempt to extinguish it, the website said.

No nearby homes were endangered, said IFD Capt. Rita Reith. As of 9 p.m., most of the building had collapsed, she said.

No residents were evacuated, and no injuries had been reported.

Firefighters initially had a little trouble getting their equipment close to the warehouse, delaying the delivery of water, but quickly worked around those issues, Reith said.

She said the building had asbestos shingles, and all firefighters were advised to use their breathing apparatus because of the hazardous air conditions.

IFD is advising motorists to avoid the area.

The fire is near where a four-alarm fire raged through two abandoned buildings in the 1500 block of East Van Buren Street in September.

Call Star reporter Diana Penner at (317) 444-6249. Follow her on Twitter @dianapenner.