PITTSFIELD TWP. (WWJ) - There were multiple explosions, but no serious injuries reported at the site of a fire and HAZMAT situation in Washtenaw County.
The blaze broke out at around 12:40 p.m. at Ann Arbor Welding Supply, sending black smoke into the air in Pittsfield Township, south of Ann Arbor and west of Ypsilanti. Police ordered those in the area to shelter in place, but the order was lifted around 9:20 p.m.
Washtenaw County Emergency Management Department Director of Emergency Services David Halteman said, in the interest of public safety, no traffic was allowed within a one mile radius of the scene, at Carpenter Road and Morgan.
Officials say one large propane tank caught fire, causing other smaller tanks to explode. Explosions continued for about a half hour.
"Working with the fire department, HAZMAT team and law enforcement, we have established that one mile perimeter, mainly because these cylinders that are exploding on the location tend to fly though the air," Halteman said. "So there's flying debris concerns."
"Of course, the winds are very high today so it makes it a little more difficult to tackle some of these fires. However, at the same time it helps to dissipate some of the gasses that are being off gassed from the event."
Reporting from the scene, WWJ's Stephanie Davis said there were 23 people in the building at the time the fire broke out, but all of them got out and away OK.
Two people who suffered from smoke inhalation went to an urgent care clinic, Davis reported, but they were expected to be OK.
As far as what type of gas emergency crews are dealing with, the company's website says it supplies "industrial, specialty, high purity and mixed gases."