Large fire breaks out at Detroit mulch facility
(CBS DETROIT) - Crews worked to put out a massive fire that broke out at a mulch storage facility on Detroit's west side Tuesday night, officials said.
Detroit Fire Chief James Harris said the fire started at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at a mulch storage yard at 14300 Prairie St.
Crews were still at the scene putting out hot spots Wednesday. Harris said the fire is under control but prone to rekindling because of deep-seated embers.
"Crews have been on scene obviously for almost 24 hours," said Detroit Fire Department Deputy Chief Dan Clapp. "We cycle our crews every 2-3 hours to keep them refreshed and energized and to not endanger their safety. To date, we have had about 30 fire companies rotate through and about 120 firefighters, and that cycle is going to continue until the fire is put out."
No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire hasn't been determined at this time, but smoke has been affecting the air quality in the surrounding area.
Hazmat teams have been monitoring the air quality, but the fire department does not believe that plastics or additives are part of the mulch.
Harris says the department will begin investigating once the fire is extinguished, but criminal activity is not suspected. Crews are expected to work throughout the evening and Thursday morning.
