Fire nearly out at Detroit storage facility near Belle Isle bridge, more than 12 hours later
Detroit firefighters were extinguishing the final hot spots of a four-alarm fire at a storage facility on the city's east side late Friday, more than 12 hours after crews were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Canton Street and East Lafayette.
Detroit Fire Department Chief James C. Harris said that the fire began around 5 a.m. Friday at the facility just east of downtown Detroit and blocks away from the bridge to Belle Isle State Park. The investigation remains in its preliminary stages as of Friday evening and the origin of the blaze is still unknown, Harris said.
The fire was devastating, Harris said, ending in a total loss of both the structure and the cars and boats that were being stored inside of it. He estimates 65 members of the city's fire department had been at the scene battling the flames throughout the day.
According to public records, the property is owned by Dennis Kefallinos, a notorious Detroit landlord with a tainted reputation and a broad portfolio of properties including the Russell Industrial Center. Multiple attempts by the Free Press Friday to reach Kefallinos were unsuccessful. DFD has also not made any contact with him as of Friday evening, Harris said.
No one has been reported injured but nearby residents experienced power outages.
"We are working closely with the Detroit Fire Department to determine when conditions will be safe for our crews to begin working," said DTE Spokesman Kate Mitchell. "We do expect power in that area will be restored this afternoon if weather conditions remain stable."
The facility was full of cars and boats, according to Harris.
"We just want the public to stay away from the area," Harris said. "The wind direction can change, you don't want anybody to get injured or hurt, and it's a little icy around (there)."
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Firefighters battled high winds between 50 and 55 mph with wind chills of 10 to 20 degrees below zero. High winds can push the fire in different directions and increase the risk of it spreading to nearby areas, Harris said.
He encouraged residents to avoid the area as water used to tame the flames is anticipated to freeze and can be dangerous for drivers.
Contact Chandra Fleming: cafleming@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Fire Department battles storage facility fire near Belle Isle
