Massive Fire Tears Through Highland Park Warehouse; Explosions Force Crews Back, Nearby School Closes, Seniors Evacuated
HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) - Authorities are battling a massive fire that rapidly spread through a warehouse in Highland Park Wednesday morning, forcing the closure of a nearby school and evacuation of a senior living center.
Fire crews were called to the Highland Avenue Properties Inc. Warehouse at Hamilton Avenue and Oakman Boulevard and arrived to find the structure engulfed in flames.
At one point, crews were ordered to back off because of explosions inside the building and concerns about flying debris. Authorities say the explosions were likely from propane tanks.
The fire is sending thick, black smoke into the air which can be seen from miles away.
Black clouds of smoke seen for miles from Highland Park warehouse fire. This is 7 mile/Mound. @WWJ950 @FOX2News pic.twitter.com/bnmTYFIvHv
— Charlie Langton (@charlielangton) February 3, 2016
Cloud of black smoke from massive warehouse #fire #HighlandPark. Reported Low water pressure. @WWJ950 @CBSDetroit pic.twitter.com/pNScwtyXsU
— Vickie Thomas (@VickiethomasWWJ) February 3, 2016
Residents at a high-rise senior apartment building on Hamilton Avenue have been evacuated. Four townhouses directly across the street from the fire have also been evacuated.
"We want to make sure that we evacuate the people so they don't get smoke inhalation," Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp told WWJ's Vickie Thomas. "So, that's what we're doing now. We have buses evacuating residents out of this area."
Yopp said a Boil Water Advisory has been issued for the city due to low water pressure. Water used for drinking and food preparation should be boiled for at least five minutes at a rolling boil. Water used for baths, showers, toilets, etc. may be used without boiling.
Authorities have also closed a nearby elementary school, George Washington Carver Academy, as a safety precaution, due to the large amount of smoke.
Officials say the warehouse has a recycling operation on one end but is otherwise unoccupied. A nearby resident said he saw employees at the business every day.
"The bus is in front of there each morning and they have a lot of workers going in and out of there daily," the man, who did not want to be named, told WWJ's Mike Campbell.
Fire crews from Detroit and Highland Park are on the scene.
No injuries have been reported.
A cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.