UPDATE: Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue crews responded to a fire at the Greenfield Global site shortly after midnight and worked through the early morning hours to bring it under control. The fire was extinguished just before 8 a.m., with no injuries reported.
In addition to Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue crews, St. Clair Township Fire Service was called in to provide additional support and specialized equipment to assist with the response.
Preliminary information suggests the fire may have followed a lightning strike; however, the cause remains under investigation.
At this time, there are no indications of an air-quality issue related to the incident. Ethanol is a clean-burning fuel that produces relatively low levels of smoke and airborne particles when burned. Cleanup crews are now on site, and the municipality is working with Greenfield Global as cleanup activities move forward.
Bloomfield Road will remain closed between Riverview Drive and the railway tracks while cleanup operations are underway. Businesses in the Richmond Street and Bloomfield Road area remain open. Residents and motorists are asked to follow posted signage and avoid the affected section of Bloomfield Road while crews continue their work.
The municipality extended its appreciation to the firefighters and emergency personnel who responded to the incident, as well as those who continue to support the ongoing cleanup and response efforts.
Original story – Chatham-Kent Police Service officials allege: Emergency crews are currently responding to a fire at an ethanol plant located at 275 Bloomfield Rd. in Chatham.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service advised the public at 7:14 a.m. to avoid the area of Bloomfield Road and Riverview Drive and to follow any road closures or directions provided by emergency personnel. Fire crews remain on scene, and operations are ongoing.
There have been no reported injuries at this time.
Police are asking residents to stay clear of the area to allow emergency responders to work safely and effectively.
We’ll provide more details when they become available.
