ATF Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team (NRT) joined the investigation into a recent fire at the Indianapolis International Airport. The fire started around 11 a.m. on Friday, August 9.

The team, led by NRT Supervisor Chad Campanell, received an initial team briefing on Saturday, August 10, and began the on-scene investigation the next morning. An out-briefing was conducted on Wednesday, August 14, with a preliminary determination that the fire was a result of accidental causes.

The NRT, along with ATF special agents from the Indianapolis Offices of the Columbus Field Division, responded with the Airport Authority Fire Department, the Wayne Township Fire Department, the Plainfield Fire Department, the Indianapolis Fire Department, the Marion County EMA, the Speedway Fire Department, IEMS Ambulances, Avon Ambulance, the Airport Authority Police Department, the Federal Air Marshal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and FedEx.

“ATF has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in investigating the cause and origin of fires,” said Special Agent in Charge Daryl S. McCormick. “We stand willing to assist fire and law enforcement services throughout the country, and internationally, by processing and investigating complex scenes such as this.”

This is the ninth NRT activation this fiscal year and the 920th since the program began in 1978. The NRT is comprised of three regional components, organized geographically to cover the United States. The team provides an immediate and sustained nationwide response capability, typically deploying within 24 hours of notification, with state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified ATF personnel specializing in fire origin and cause determination, to assist local and state law enforcement or fire service personnel.

The NRT was most recently in Indianapolis to investigate the Plainfield Walmart Distribution Center fire in March 2022.

More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.

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