CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – A massive industrial fire that sent debris flying in the air in Clinton Township was under control early Tuesday.
At the height of the blaze, township police were urging residents to avoid the area of Groesbeck Highway and 15 Mile Road.
“We can not stress enough the danger that is happening right now. Please, please, please stay inside and out of the vicinity,” police said in a social media post. “Debris is being projected into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion, so please stay out of the area and stay safe.”
CBS News Detroit’s Luke Laster reported from the scene that the flames appeared to be dying down at about 11 p.m.
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, which was assisting police, said evacuations were underway but the fire department told CBS News shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday that the fire was under control and there were no longer any evacuation orders in place. Air quality was monitored by the Macomb County HAZMAT team and “all was clear upon testing,” the department added.
The fire department told CBS News the building was a warehouse for a vaping materials supplier.
Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan said the vacant building had large butane and nitrous oxide tanks stored inside that might have been the source of the blaze. Duncan said one firefighter was hurt and the building was a “total loss.”
The fire department told CBS News hundreds, if not thousands of cannisters, mostly about 12 inches long, exploded and became projectiles.
David Storey, who lives near the scene with his fiance, told CBS News there was a lot of smoke and debris flying. They felt the shockwaves from repeated explosions and had to back up a couple of times because the air got so hot form the explosions. They said even firefighters had to take a step back when it things were really picking up.
Sterling Heights police said at one point that their 911 phone lines were down due to the fire but residents could call their front desk at 586-446-2801.
— Brian Dakss contributed reporting.
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