Fire Contained at Warehouse at Port of Greater Baton Rouge

No injuries reported as crews extinguish blaze at port facility used to load and unload wood pellets.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Firefighters responded to a warehouse fire at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge on Saturday morning, containing the blaze within just over two hours. The fire started in a conveyor system used to load materials from a warehouse to the Mississippi River, with wood chips on the conveyor belt catching fire and spreading to the warehouse's roof. The warehouse was empty at the time and no injuries were reported.

Why it matters

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge is a critical economic hub for the region, handling a variety of cargo shipments along the Mississippi River. A fire at one of the port's facilities could have significant impacts on operations and commerce if not quickly contained.

The details

According to officials, the fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. on the conveyor system that runs from a warehouse toward the river. The flames spread from the wood chips on the conveyor belt to the warehouse's roof. Firefighters from the West Baton Rouge Fire Department, Baton Rouge Fire Department, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Fire Boat worked to extinguish the blaze.

  • The fire was reported around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • Firefighters contained the fire in just over two hours.

The players

West Baton Rouge Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to and contained the warehouse fire.

Baton Rouge Fire Department

The city fire department that assisted in extinguishing the blaze at the port facility.

East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Fire Boat

The fire boat unit from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office that helped contain the fire.

Drax

The company that operates the port facility where the fire occurred, which is used to load and unload wood pellets.

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What they’re saying

“A fire was reported at the Port of Baton Rouge shortly before noon today at a facility used to load and unload wood pellets. Port personnel and first responders quickly worked to extinguish the fire, which happened while the port was in a weather delay. No injuries have been reported.”

— Drax (Statement)

What’s next

Investigators from the West Baton Rouge Fire Department will continue to look into the cause of the fire, which has not yet been determined.

The takeaway

The quick response and coordination of multiple fire departments allowed for the successful containment of the warehouse fire at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, preventing any injuries or major disruptions to port operations. This incident highlights the importance of preparedness and effective emergency response protocols at critical infrastructure sites.