Warehouse fire destroys historic buildings slated for redevelopment

warehouse fire south of downtown st. louis
Photo credit Sean Malone/KMOX News

ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - Pumpers and ladders battled a massive warehouse fire along the downtown riverfront just south of the Poplar Street bridge early Friday morning. At one point, some 200 first responders were on scene.

At its peak shortly after 4 am, the 6-alarm blaze could be seen for miles away, with flames shooting hundreds of feet into the sky. The warehouses are along 2nd street north of Chouteau in an area that was slated for redevelopment.

warehouse fire burns in industrial area south of the arch
Photo credit Sean Malone/KMOX News

By mid-morning the worst of the blaze was contained, but St. Louis City Fire officials expected to be managing the remains through the weekend. Several historic warehouse buildings in the Crunden Martin complex were mostly reduced to rubble.

St. Louis warehouse fire
Photo credit Megan Lynch/KMOX News

The fire broke out about 3 am Friday among the vacant buildings slated for renovation as part of a project called Gateway South. The Good Developments Group announced the $1.2 billion project in June of last year.

@2025 Audacy St. Louis (KMOX). All rights reserved.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Sean Malone/KMOX News