UPDATE: The Indianapolis Fire Department has revised the damage estimate in Sunday’s fire at the Flying J truck stop off I-465. They now say the blaze did some $4 million in damage.
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Investigators in Indianapolis continue to look for the cause of a three-alarm fire Sunday night, March 20, at the Flying J truck stop and Denny’s restaurant on West Thompson Road off Interstate 465 near Harding Road in Indianapolis.
Fire Monday night at the Fling J truck stop in Indianapolis. (Indianapolis Fire Department photo)Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Olofson said the fire, which started outside the truck stop’s building around 7:30 p.m., did some $2 million in damages.
IFD Battalion Chief Rita Reith said in a statement that truckers alerted employees to the fire. The facility’s Manager Matthew Miller and two other tried to extinguish the blaze. High winds thwarted their attempts, so they went inside and evacuated some 40 people, according to Reith.
Pilot Flying J issued a statement that, in part, said: “No one was injured during the incident, and the cause of the fire has not been determined. The location will be closed until further notice. The safety of our guests and team members are top priorities at Pilot Flying J.”
The statement from Reith said the fire, which was under control by 9:43 p.m., did not reach the truck stop’s fuel pumps or propane tanks stored at the facility.
She said crews were still on the scene today, Monday, March 21.
Her statement added, “It is unclear how long the Flying J Truck Stop will be out of service. Management stated that the truck stop services about 2,000 trucks a day with 100-200 on site overnight each evening.”
The Indianapolis Fire Department sent 32 units. They were assisted by three other departments. A total of 100 firefighters were involved, according to Reith.
