Cause undetermined in Graber Industries fire

The cause of a blaze that occurred Friday at Graber Industries in Constantine Township is still undetermined.

Fire departments from both Centreville and Three Rivers were dispatched to the scene shortly before 10 a.m. Friday after reports of a barn fire.

Members of arriving units found one of the barns fully engulfed and heavy smoke billowing from a second barn. Proximity of the barns and a heavy fire load caused the blaze to spread quickly. Four barns were destroyed by fire. Two other barns at the site were not damaged.

Firefighting personnel were at the scene until about 8:15 p.m. Friday.

The business, formerly G&G Salvage, is home to various building materials, including RV and home supplies, such as carpeting, along with plumbing and electrical supplies.

David Miracle, chief of Centreville Fire Department, said a few firefighters suffered heat exhaustion, but nothing serious. Beyond that, no other injuries were reported. Everyone was out of the barns at the time of the blaze.

“We would also like to thank the community for all of their support with food and water,” Miracle said. “It was greatly appreciated.”

He also thanked responding departments from Three Rivers, Fabius Park, Constantine, White Pigeon, Tri-Township, Sturgis, Burr Oak, Colon Community, Leonidas, Mendon and Porter Township.

Also assisting were the St. Joseph County sheriff’s department, St. Joseph County Victims Services, the Michigan State Police and Robert’s Excavating.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Cause undetermined in Graber Industries fire