WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

 

Grand Rapids Fire Department: lightning started Padnos fire

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Fire Department confirms a lightning strike sparked a big fire at a manufacturing facility on Monday.

It broke out around 3 a.m. at 601 Letellier St. SW near Front Avenue. That is north of Wealthy Street and west of the Grand River.

GRFD Captain William Smith said a fire investigator located security camera footage showing a flash of lightning near the Padnos manufacturing building.

"A few minutes thereafter smoke can be seen at the roof level of the structure," Smith said.

“One of our employees arrived to work early today, saw the smoke, and immediately called 911," a Padnos company manager said.

Grand Rapids Fire Department Deputy Chief Jack Johnson told WOOD Radio that almost all of the city's firefighters responded to the inferno, which was contained inside the building. He said three aerial ladder trucks were used to knock the fire down, but crews were still on the scene Monday afternoon putting out hot spots. More than 60 firefighters were involved. There were far less on scene than the 14 crews that responded Monday morning.

Johnson said a defensive effort had to be taken against the fire, because the building became too unstable to enter.

"It has run from the west side of the building almost to the east side. There is an add-on structure that we've been able to keep it out of. But the main structure was of bowstring construction, and that all collapsed," he said.

The plant is used for magnesium recycling.

A strong thunderstorm rolled through West Michigan overnight, dumping heavy raining, producing a lot of lightning strikes and about 8,000 power outages.

Most homes and businesses had their electrical service restored by late morning. There was some flash flooding. There may be more overnight into Tuesday, with more heavy rain forecasted. The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch that was scheduled to be in effect beginning at 9 o'clock Monday tonight for the following counties in the WOOD Radio listening area: Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Muskegon and Van Buren.

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