CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- An emergency incident has closed the Amazon fulfillment center in Chester Friday morning.
The original call, at 5 a.m., was for a structure fire at the center on Meadowville Technology Parkway.
"Upon our arrival the firefighters located a fire that had been extinguished prior to our arrival. The fire was located in a shipping bin located on the first floor," Chesterfield Fire and EMS spokesperson Jason Elmore said. "At this time Chesterfield Fire Marshals and county police are investigating the incident. Officials are working closely with Amazon management during the investigation."
Officers stationed outside the fulfillment center turned employees away from the property. Employees were initially told the center would reopen at 10 a.m., but have since been told the center would remain closed indefinitely.
Officers were on scene redirecting traffic at the center.
Employees off camera expressed disappointment and stated being confused about when and if they needed report to work.
Brenda Alfred, a spokesperson with Amazon media relations, told CBS 6 that employees were notified through an automated messaging system.
Alfred said employees who were instructed to go home will be paid for the day.
The bomb squad responded to the center earlier Friday morning, Crime Insider sources told CBS 6 reporter Jon Burkett.
They investigated a device found inside the center, those sources indicated.
The nature of the device was not disclosed.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips and photos here.
