QVC closing fire-damaged facility

As a result of this closure, QVC plans to terminate the employment of all employees employed at this location." - Alicia Keane of QVC's corporate parent Quarte Retail Group.

ROCKY MOUNT — The QVC Distribution Center damaged in the state's largest structure fire last month won't reopen.

Qurate Retail Group, the company that runs QVC, has announced it's shutting down the facility, putting nearly 2,000 people out of work.

The company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining and Notification notice with the N.C. Department of Commerce detailing plans to permanently close the facility and lay off employees this year, according to multiple media outlets.

"QVC will be closing and ceasing all operations at its DC located at 100 QVC Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC, 27815. As a result of this closure, QVC plans to terminate the employment of all employees employed at this location," Alicia Keane of QVC's corporate parent Quarte Retail Group told WRAL-TV.

The center employed 1,953 people, according to records included in the filing.

The company will start paying separation benefits to affected workers beginning Feb. 1. QVC's corporate parent previously provided $500 in emergency funding to each employee.

Some employees will be offered positions at other facilities elsewhere.

The blaze ripped through the 1.2 million-square-foot building in the early morning hours of Dec. 18.

One employee, a 21-year-old father, died in the fire.