STERLING HEIGHTS (WWJ) - Investigators are working to figure out what caused a fire that forced an evacuation at the Ford Plant in Sterling Heights.
Fire crews responded just before 5 a.m. Tuesday to the Ford Sterling Axle Plant along Mound Road just north of 17 Mile Road and found white smoke billowing from a portion of the building. Employees reported that a machine containing 30,000 gallons of oil was on fire.
According to Ford, a system that supplies oil to machinery on site caught fire. Workers on the scene told WWJ's Mike Campbell that the fire took off in the annex building. While portions of the plant are closed for the traditional summer shutdown, this section was running at the time of the fire.
"I came in this morning and there was just a bunch of smoke and I heard in the annex there was a fire," said Maria Messina. "I have no idea (what started it). Oil? That's what people are talking."
Messina said smoke inside the building was so thick, she couldn't see.
Firefighters from all five Sterling Heights Fire Stations responded to the scene and worked for about an hour to extinguish the fire. A second alarm was called in order to get more manpower to the scene. Clinton Township, Shelby Township and Warren sent firefighters to the scene to help. Utica, Macomb Township, Fraser and Roseville sent firefighters to fill the vacant stations.
With the coordinated effort of over 40 firefighters and the use of a significant amount of foam, the fire was brought under control at about 7:30 a.m.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Sterling Heights Fire Department is working with Ford in order to help them get back to normal operations as soon and safely as possible.