The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), in collaboration with Full Vision Productions and the Plainfield Fire Territory, is proud to announce the premiere of its newest documentary, “When the Sky Turned Black.” The film chronicles the devastating fire on March 16, 2022, at the Walmart fulfillment center in Plainfield, Indiana — one of the largest warehouse fires in U.S. history.
Two private screenings will be held with the members of the Plainfield Fire Territory and their families on January 27, 2026. NFFF will premiere the film to the fire service the following day, January 28 at approximately 2:00 pm, at the Town of Plainfield Civic Center. Media are invited to attend the January 28 screening.
The documentary features in-depth interviews with the firefighters who responded to the blaze, capturing their firsthand experiences, challenges and innermost thoughts as events unfolded that day and the days following. The film offers a detailed timeline of the incident supported by powerful visual footage and reenactments. It also explores the emotional toll the fire had on the members of the Plainfield Fire Territory.
“When the Sky Turned Black’ not only documents the intensity of that day, but the experiences and emotions of the heroic firefighters who lived it and helped prevent human tragedy,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “This documentary reinforces our commitment to supporting fire departments across the country with the knowledge, training, and resources they need to safeguard the communities they serve and promote firefighter survival.”
The documentary serves as a follow-up to the comprehensive report released by the NFFF in 2025. The report, “Inside the Plainfield Mega-Warehouse Fire: Critical Lessons for Firefighters,” examined the incident and provided recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Background: The Plainfield Distribution Center Fire
Plainfield is home to more than 60 fulfillment centers and has become known as the unofficial “Distribution Center of the Country.” The Walmart fulfillment center in Plainfield was a 1.4-million-square-foot building with more than 20 miles of rack storage aisles.
Shortly after noon on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, the Plainfield Fire Territory was alerted to a report of a fire inside the facility. Crews quickly encountered what would become one of the most challenging incidents in the department’s history.
The fire originated on the second floor of a multi-story module. Upon entry, firefighters found that the sprinkler system had initially contained the flames, engaging crews to extinguish visible fire within minutes. A large portion of the building was filled with cold smoke that obscured visibility, but all indications were the fire was extinguished. However, shortly after isolating the zone and shutting the sprinkler system down, fire was reported through the upper levels of the building. Dense smoke rapidly descended to the floor, creating hazardous and disorienting conditions for firefighters, three of whom narrowly escaped.
The fire destroyed the facility, causing $500 million in property loss. Despite the scale of the incident, no employees or firefighters sustained major injuries.
“The Plainfield distribution center fire was one of the most significant and challenging incidents our brave men and women have ever faced,” said Plainfield Fire Territory Chief Brent Anderson. “We thank the NFFF for their ongoing work educating our community. The lessons we took away from that day continue to guide how we strengthen our departments, ensuring our crews have what they need should we ever face an event of this magnitude again.”
The documentary serves as both a powerful learning tool and a call to action for fire departments, civic leaders, and businesses to prioritize safety, preparedness, and support for those who ensure the safety of communities such as Plainfield.
“When the Sky Turned Black” will also be available to view after its premiere on the NFFF YouTube channel.
