Michigan Firefighters Battle Intense Fire At Packing Facility; Several Firefighters Hospitalized
A fire in Saugatuck Township destroyed the main packing facility of Krupka's Blueberry Plantation.
The fire was called in shortly before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday after flames were seen coming from the siding of the large barn.
"I was driving by after work and looked over at the barn like always and saw about one-foot flames," said Larry Babinski, son-in-law of plantation owners Harold and Connie Krupka. "I called up 911."
The fire took several hours to contain and required assistance from multiple fire departments -- Saugatuck, Ganges, Fennville and Graafschap -- to finally extinguish.
Flames from the fire at 2647 Blue Star Highway, just north of 126th Avenue, could be seen from I-196, with flames extending over the roof of the structure before it collapsed.
Babinski said he was unsure of the barn's size except that it was the main center for the Krupka's blueberry packing and contained equipment including computers, packing equipment, a tractor, other vehicles and a high loader.
"This is the main artery right here. This is a major setback," said Babinski, who works for Hart & Cooley. "All of the blueberries that are picked from the other farms come here to be processed and packaged."
Babinski said the barn is surrounded by about 40 acres that are used for blueberry planting. The barn itself has been in the family since the early 1970s.
No estimate of damage was available Wednesday night.
Extinguishing the flames was made difficult because of the size of the barn and intensity of the fire. In addition, there were no water mains in the area, so fire trucks had to reload tanks with water at the AmericInn Motels and Suites, 2905 Blue Star Highway.
Some firefighters were overcome by chemicals in the barn and had to be taken to area hospitals but were doing OK, according to WOOD-TV 8.
"You just never know when something like this is going to happen. You never think it's going to happen to you," said Becky Ortiz, daughter of the Krupkas.
The Krupkas, who spend the winter months in Florida, could not be reached for comment.
Babinski is optimistic about the outcome, after fire officials assess the damage and cause of the fire.
"You built it up and you go again," Babinski said.
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