Two fatalities confirmed in Baltimore Amazon building collapse

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado event was the likely cause of the partial collapse of the Amazon Fulfillment Center.

BALTIMORE: Severe weather on Friday night over much of the Baltimore area may have factored into a partial building collapse which claimed the lives of two victims at the Amazon Fulfilment Center in Dundalk. A spokesperson for Amazon said the two victims were third-party contractors and not Amazon employees.

In the aftermath of the incident, Dave Clark, Sr. Vice President of Operations for Amazon, released the following statement:

“Last night, severe weather impacted one of our facilities in Baltimore City resulting in two fatalities. First responders remain onsite assessing the damage. The safety of our employees and contractors is our top priority and at this time the building remains closed. We are incredibly thankful for the quick response from emergency services. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by Friday evening’s tragic event.”

Fire Department Chief Roman Clark confirmed that one man was found under the debris of the collapsed building on Friday night. The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A second man’s body was found in the debris of the building on Saturday morning.

The names of the deceased have not been released.  Fire crews and contractors using specialized equipment remain on the scene.

As of this time, all other Amazon employees and third-party contractors are believed to be accounted for.

The warehouse facility is located near Broening Highway at 5501 Holabird Ave.

The following photos of the Amazon Building collapse are by staff photographer Mike Jordan:

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)

A first aid kit, believed to be from the heavily damaged Amazon fulfillment center, is seen strewn across the parking lot hundreds of feet away from the building. It appears the kit was not used, rather carried here by the severe weather. Extensive damage can be seen at the Amazon fulfillment center in Baltimore after sunrise Saturday morning. The damage is a result of a severe weather event late Friday night. Firefighters and special operations teams from Baltimore City Fire Department are seen working to locate and remove a second victim. (Mike Jordan/BPE Photo)