At 3:48 p.m. on July 23, the Crockery Township, Mich. Fire Department was dispatched to a few tires burning in the yard of the Kolka Iron and Truck Parts yard.
Upon dispatch firefighters saw a large column of smoke and immediately requested an additional response from the Spring Lake Township Fire department. Upon arrival the first arriving Captain gave a report of a pile of approximately 1000 tires burning with exposures of an aircraft hanger, fuel tanks and an aircraft in the adjacent airport.
Immediately he requested tankers from Coopersville, and Fruitport Township fire departments and a full response from the City of Ferrysburg. When the Chief officer arrived on scene he added additional requests for the Ottawa County Foam trailer, Tankers from Wright Tallmadge, and Grand Haven Township fire departments.
Crews had the fire under control by 17:15 and the last crews cleared the scene by 19:00. The tires were estimated to cover an area of 100 by 150 feet and were stacked approximately 10 feet in height, many of these tires were still mounted on steel and aluminum rims.
The pile also contained several automotive parts.
