DETROIT (WWJ) - A roaring fire completely engulfed an abandoned apartment complex in Detroit on Thursday morning, sending up billowing black smoke that could seen for miles.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported live from the scene on Nardin Park Street near I-96 and Livernois where Detroit firefighters were battling to control the blaze as it ripped through the four-story building at 7 a.m.
"But the smoke, the black smoke just coming out of this fire. It's going so high into the sky straight up, I was on the far northwest side of Detroit and I could see it," Langton said. "I understand you can actually see it in Southfield, there's so much smoke."
Detroit Fire Chief William Hart told Langton that crews have two ladders out at the location working to bring the blaze under control.
"We got two platforms that we're setting up, we got good water supply and we're just working the process now, getting some water on the fire," the chief explained. "Partial building collapse that we're watching out for, but we don't have any other exposures close to this building and we have to worry about any secondary fires."
Langton reported that the building did look as if it could collapse in at any moment and regardless if it does or not, firefighters are expected to remain on site for awhile yet.
The cause of the blaze is unknown at this time as crews continue extinguishing efforts.
Langton said while the fire is gigantic, it's the smoke billowing up into the sky that is more attention grabbing.
Lou Hernandez called into WWJ after he spotted it in the sky while driving to work in downtown Detroit from his home in Canton.
“Just driving downtown to Tiger Stadium to go to work this morning and I saw a huge fire in that area, West Chicago and I-96,” Hernandez said. “You know, normally you just see the smoke in the daytime, but this thing was ginormous.”
At this time, no injuries are reported.