Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Fire at Michigan plant sends massive plume of smoke into air, cuts power citywide

nbcchicago.com · 8h · first reportShare

A fire at a plastics plant in Michigan sent a massive plume of smoke into the air and prompted a citywide power outage on Friday, according to NBC affiliate station WOOD-TV. The fire broke out around 3:45 p.m. at East Jordan Plastics on Stieve Drive off Blue Star Highway in South Haven, Michigan. Officials said propane explosions occurred while the blaze burned and photographers with WOOD-TV said smoke was visible from more than 30 miles away. Video posted to social media showed a large plume of black smoke billowing into the air from the fire. Crews were still working to fully extinguish the fire as of 5:30 p.m., officials said. The city’s main electrical substation is located roughly 200 yards from the fire and main power line was endangered, officials said. The risk posed by the fire led to a citywide power shutoff, including for traffic lights. Officials did not immediately provide an estimate for when power would be turned back on. The fire also prompted South Haven High School to