QVC Distribution Building Heavily Damaged in Fire

U.S.|Huge Fire Damages Sprawling QVC Distribution Center

A immense occurrence broke retired astatine a organisation halfway for QVC, the location buying network, connected Saturday greeting successful Rocky Mount, N.C., ripping done the 1.2 million-square-foot gathering and damaging three-quarters of it, officials said.

The occurrence was reported astatine astir 2 a.m., Eric Evans, the manager for Edgecombe County, N.C., told reporters.

“Significant nonaccomplishment but we’re precise hopeful that it’s not a full nonaccomplishment and that they’ll beryllium capable to rebuild here,” helium said.

There were 300 employees successful the gathering erstwhile the occurrence started, Mr. Evans said astatine a quality league connected Saturday afternoon. QVC and the authorities judge that everyone successful the gathering made it retired safely, helium said, though 1 idiosyncratic remained unaccounted for.

Corey Mercer, the Rocky Mount occurrence chief, said the occurrence was not yet afloat nether power and that 45 agencies from six counties responded. It was not instantly known what caused the occurrence oregon wherever it began.

By 3 p.m., the occurrence had damaged up to 75 percent of the building, Chief Mercer said.

Television footage of the occurrence aboriginal Saturday greeting showed agleam flames and heavy fume billowing from the analyzable disconnected Highway 64.

In a statement, QVC said it employed astir 2,000 radical astatine the building. It is 1 of the largest employers successful Rocky Mount, a metropolis of astir 54,000 people, 60 miles eastbound of Raleigh.

“At this time, we are focused connected the information and well-being of our squad members,” the institution said. “In addition, we are besides moving to recognize the afloat interaction to products and orders and volition supply further details to our customers and vendor assemblage arsenic soon arsenic they are available.”

The Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce said the occurrence could impact 2,500 families successful the area.

“We are saddened to aftermath up to the quality of the unspeakable occurrence astatine the QVC Distribution Center successful Rocky Mount,” the enactment said connected Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the employees of QVC and our brave archetypal responders.”

The organisation halfway has been successful Rocky Mount for much than 20 years, Mr. Evans said.

“This is devastating, to get this call,” helium said.

Isabella Grullón Paz contributed reporting.