ESSEXVILLE, MI – The Michigan State Police are investigating the cause and origin of a fire at a Consumers Energy plant in Bay County, officials said.
The fire was reported at about 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at Consumers Energy’s Dan E. Karn Generating Plant in Essexville. Authorities said the fire originated from an electrical transformer.
Hampton Township fire crews arrived and requested mutual aid from surrounding departments. More than 15 local, county, state and federal agencies responded.
The fire spread from its point of origin to neighboring buildings. Fire crews employed defensive suppression tactics to fight the blaze, Hampton Township officials said.
“Focus on scene was to limit exposure especially to the hydrogen tanks,” officials wrote on social media.
The fire was out by about 6:30 p.m. Monday. One firefighter from an unspecified department received minor injuries but is doing OK, officials said.
Officials are working to monitor the site after an unspecified amount of mineral oil spilled during the fire, according to Tracy Wimmer, a spokesperson with Consumers Energy.
All personnel were evacuated from the plant and are safe, Wimmer said.
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