GE Fire | Cause may not be known for weeks

Fire and arson investigators figure it may take days before they can venture into the blackened wreckage left from a massive blaze that destroyed a warehouse at General Electric's Appliance Park Friday.

The cause of the largest structure fire ever in Jefferson County, which turned into a six-alarm fire and drew around 200 firefighters from all suburban departments, may not be know for weeks. But the fallout was incalculable.

About 3,000 GE production employees now working at Appliance Park were told to stay home for at least the next week — and about 3,000 salaried workers were told they'd be updated about their schedule on Monday.

NEW SATURDAY: GE Fire | Still burning more than 24 hours later

It's uncertain how quickly production of dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, dryers and water heaters would return to normal after the warehouse for wiring harnesses, fans and other small appliance parts in Building 6 was declared a total loss.

GE and Metro Louisville leaders expressed thanks for the rapid response from fire crews and the fact that no workers or responders were injured. Only a skeletal staff was at the property because of the Good Friday holiday.

"We were blessed. It could have been a lot worse," said Dana Crittenden, president of IUE-CWA Local 83761.

The fire was first spotted around 6 a.m., prompting a 911 call from GE. As the fire spread, a call went out within an hour for more firefighters. By then, huge plumes of black smoke were seen miles away billowing into the sky.

At 9:30 a.m., authorities issued an alert to homes and businesses within a half mile radius to shelter in place as a precaution because of noxious fumes. When the smoke plume was pushed to ground level over a larger swath, experts with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet were called to check for hazards.

The smoke was so filled with soot and floating debris, it coated cars, roofs, decks and roadways and was seen as a hazard for people with health problems.

The shelter in place warning — touching 33 addresses — was expanded to 2 miles and more than 17,000 homes and businesses when winds ahead of an approaching storm front "banked" smoke to ground level, EMA/MetroSafe spokeswoman Jody Duncan.

The larger zone was reduced by mid-afternoon after authorities were satisfied that the smoke contained no hazards, said Matt Rhodes, deputy director of the city's Department of Public Health and Wellness.

Although the fire was contained shortly after 2 p.m., crews were expected to stay overnight and through Saturday pouring on more water to prevent pop up flames and any chance the fire could migrate to nearby Building 5.

GE builds its high-end bottom-freezer refrigerator there, and it's also launching production of the new Keurig combination coffeemaker and fridge.

Besides housing parts, Building 6 served as offices and work space for Derby Industries, a private supplier which handles packaging and logistics. Company president Diana Herold told The Courier-Journal Friday that they were meeting with employees who worked at inside the GE building. No other comment was provided.

As for GE workers, Crittenden said he expected they would be eligible for unemployment during the shutdown and additional checks for some up to about 75 percent of full pay.

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Rep. Tom Burch, a Democrat from Buechel who retired as a GE production manager 24 years ago, said the fire-damaged site once was home to manufacturing room air-conditioners. After that work was halted and the production was transferred to other facilities, the building stood vacant for a time.

GE spokewoman Kim Freeman said in a statement that several hundred employees in the building had been displaced, but that executives were working to open warehouse space in other areas of the park.

Interactive map | See the half-mile radius affected

The future of the park has been a big question following the announcement last fall that parent GE would sell the appliance division to Swedish appliance maker Electrolux. The $3.3 billion deal is due to close later this year.

Reporter Grace Schneider can be reached at 502-582-4082. Follow her on Twitter @gesinfk. Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at (502) 582-4989. Follow him on Twitter at @MattGlo. James Bruggers can be reached at 502-582-4645 or on twitter @jbruggers