Fire Blazes On Detroit's East Side
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit firefighters are battling a warehouse fire on the city's east side that started around 4 am Saturday morning.
The warehouse is a plastic recycling facility located just feet away from the Nationalwide Furniture Warehouse Outlet on Gratiot near French Road.
Detroiter Shabrie Arnold drove by the area and saw black smoke billowing into the sky.
"I'm concerned about the air and I'm concerned because I just hope that, you know, no one got hurt," Arnold confessed.
Firefighters and law enforcement are on the scene and plan to be there for several more hours.
Live and local, WWJ's Stephanie Davis said despite efforts, the fire continues to burn.
"As I walk up kind of close to the building, I can still see flames inside and they've got water, pumping water rather, from the top of the building," she said.
Detroit Fire Chief, Patrick O'Brien said the building is a total loss.
"We're going to be here a while. It's a huge building, it runs to the back probably 1,000 feet. We're going to be here the majority of the day at least," O'Brien said.
When fire crews first started to battle the blaze, there was a problem with water pressure. However, the issue was resolved promptly.
Because several railroads are located near the building, there were suspicions that a train could have been involved.
However, Conway Rail Officials said none of their trains were in the area and they were only on the scene to see how the tracks were doing. They have since advised all trains not to travel towards the building, but they must, to travel very slowly.
No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for updates on the situation.
