UPDATE: Fire at South Haven plastic recycling facility prompts major emergency response

UPDATE: Employees evacuated safely, and no firefighters were injured. The city's electricity has been restored.

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. -- A fire at East Jordan Plastics in South Haven prompted a large emergency response Friday evening after flames spread from outside the facility into the plastic manufacturing building.

The fire was reported around 4 p.m. and remained an active scene for several hours.

By about 7:30 p.m., the fire was mostly under control, according to South Haven Fire Chief Brandon Hinz.

The fire produced visible smoke clouds that could be seen from miles away and required assistance from fire departments across the area.

“We take a little bit from each department when we get big incidents like this to help out,” Hinz says. “We have departments as far south as Sister Lakes, and as far north as Fennville helping us out.”

Hinz described the scene as a heavy fire load that began outside the building before spreading into the plastic manufacturing facility. A propane explosion also occurred.

“We’re still unable to go too far interior because there is quite a bit of the structure — either the trusses or the walls — have come down,” Hinz said. “So, this is going to be external and exterior firefighting.”

All occupants were able to safely evacuate the facility, and surrounding buildings were not affected by the flames, according to fire officials.

The fire also affected power service in parts of South Haven. High-tension power lines run next to the facility, and the city was asked to de-energize the lines as a precaution.

“Unfortunately, I think we de-energized a fair amount of the city,” Hinz says.

Officials were also monitoring air quality because of smoke from the burning plastic inside the facility.

The Environmental Protection Agency and Great Lakes and Energy were contacted, Hinz said. An EPA team was responding from the Chicago area.

South Haven police advised residents in nearby areas to close their windows and remain indoors because of the smoke.

South Haven Area Emergency Services