The Sterling Heights Fire Department was called to the Ford Axle Plant, located at 17 Mile and Mound, at 4:43 a.m. this morning for the report of a fire in a production machine.
The fire department arrived at 4:46 a.m. and found that the building was filled with smoke. On scene, employees of Ford Axle reported that a machine containing 30,000 gallons of oil was on fire. Firefighters from all five Sterling Heights Fire Stations responded to the scene and worked for about an hour to extinguish the fire. Due to the limited access to the fire in the machine, and the poor visibility in the plant, the on-scene firefighters were not able to fully extinguish the fire. A second alarm was called in order to get more manpower to the scene. Clinton Township, Shelby Township and the City of Warren sent firefighters to the scene to help. Utica, Macomb Township, Fraser and Roseville sent firefighters to fill the vacant stations.
With the coordinated effort of over 40 firefighters and the use of a significant amount of foam, the fire was brought under control at about 7:30 a.m. There were no injuries reported to any firefighters or employees of Ford. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the Sterling Heights Fire Department is working with Ford in order to help them get back to normal operations as soon and safely as possible.
For any additional comments from Ford, please contact Kelli Felker at kfelker1@ford.com.
For any further information, please contact Fire Chief Chris Martin at cmartin@sterling-heights.net.