Gap Inc.GPS -1.29 % ‘s turnaround efforts hit a glitch this week as a fire at one of the retailer’s largest distribution centers set back the company’s ability to fulfill online orders heading into the holiday season. At left is Fishkill Supervisor Robert LaColla.
Advertisement
The county executive’s office says Gap is reaching out to employees, urging them to call a private number to find out the latest status on their jobs.
It was a hard fire to battle because of its intensity, said Fishkill Fire Chief Bandon Knapp. The fire, which erupted around 11 p.m., required response from more than 20 fire departments in three counties, according to USA Today. A third of the million square foot building is damaged; damage estimated at more than $1 million.
Chief Knapp said one firefighter sustained a minor laceration to the lower leg.
“While it will take time to understand the full impact and cause of the fire, we have contingency plans in place”, said Debbie Felix, a company spokeswoman.
“Safety is our top priority, and we are working closely with local emergency agencies that are responding to this incident”, she said in a statement.
Dutchess Assistant County Executive Ron Hicks says he is working overtime as local and federal investigators, including the ATF, continue to comb over the almost 1 million-square-foot site looking for clues.
Advertisement
About 600 people worked in Building 100 at the distribution center which was destroyed by the fire. The facility opened in September 2000 and expanded a year later. While investigations regarding cause of the fire are being conducted, the entire campus has shutdown.
