Evacuation alert lifted after Spring Lake Twp. industrial fire
SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — An evacuation alert has been lifted and authorities say there is no further threat of explosion after an industrial fire Saturday in Spring Lake Township.
The alert was lifted around 6:15 p.m., and residents can now return to their homes. Ottawa County Emergency Management said the situation had been stabilized thanks to “proactive measures on scene.”
OCEM said there was an industrial fire inside a manufacturing area at 14638 Apple Dr. near 144th Avenue, located in Spring Lake Township near Fruitport Township. It’s the site of Linamar Manufacturing, formerly Mobex Global, according to authorities.
“This is a foundry plant, and they actually have casting, aluminum casting operation. They did have some leak of a product that they work with,” Spring Lake Township Fire Chief John Stalzer told crews on scene.
He explained that it was a complex situation, though the area in question was “relatively small.”
“Probably 100 feet by 200 feet. It just involves high heat process. Any introduction of water is a concern whenever you have something like that,” Stalzer said. “…In this case, the initial thing is not to introduce water. But there are processes they use, along with our assistance, with dry ice.”
The fire was contained by around 6 p.m., according to OCEM.
“At no time did product or fire ever leave the building,” Stalzer said.
Residents within a 0.5-mile radius of the fire were asked around 5 p.m. to evacuate to Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, as the fire had “a high potential for an explosion,” according to a social media post from Emergency Management.
“Out of an abundance of safety, consulting with the specialists at the factory, we did evacuate a half-mile radius for the protection of the residents,” Stalzer said.
Spencer Dobson was at Spring Lake Presbyterian, where residents were asked to evacuate. He told News 8 there were around 20 people in the parking lot and more inside.
“I was definitely concerned for my younger sister,” Dobson said.
Firefighters from several departments were on scene.
— News 8’s Meghan Bunchman contributed to this report.
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