Fire at Former Plating Plant Battled in Jackson, MI
By Chloe Miller
Source mlive.com (TNS)
JACKSON, MI — The cause of a fire at the former Michner Plating site in Jackson is under investigation.
The Jackson Fire Department, in coordination with the Jackson Police Department, responded to the fire at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at 520 N. Mechanic Street, the fire department reported.
Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy smoke and visible flames coming from the front of the building. Firefighters remained on scene until shortly after 10 p.m. to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
No injuries were reported, officials said.
Given the historical use of the site and potential hazards, responders used air monitoring equipment early in and throughout the fire response. At no time did air quality levels exceed normal safety thresholds, the fire department reported.
As a precaution, the Jackson County Emergency Operations Center was notified, and representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency responded to the scene to assist.
Firefighters aggressively attacked the inside of the building and were able to bring the fire under control with the assistance of multiple mutual aid agencies, according to the fire department.
Support came from Summit Township Fire Department, Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety, Napoleon Township Fire Department, Spring Arbor Fire Department, Henrietta Township Fire Department and Grass Lake Township Fire Department.
The Jackson Disaster Assistance Response Team and Jackson Community Ambulance were also on scene.
The Michner Mechanic Street site is adjacent to the Grand River and consists of four buildings within four acres in a mixed residential and commercial portion of the city of Jackson.
Jackson Fire Chief Tim Gonzales said only one of the buildings, used as office and storage, caught fire.
Jackson County obtained through foreclosure in 2015 the former metal plating facility at 520 N. Mechanic St., initiating a structure review. It was added in March 2022 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund National Priorities List to allow federal officials to lead the cleanup.
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