MANISTIQUE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Local officials are investigating the cause and origin of a fire that caused almost $100,000 in damges to product at a Manistique paper mill.
At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 29, the Manistique Public Safety Department was dispatched to a report of a fire in the outdoor product storage area of UP Paper LLC. Dispatch information indicated that stored cardboard materials were burning, with flames approximately 10 feet high.
Responders found the fire burning inside storage pad unit number 4. On site, there are a total of five 150-by-115-foot pads with metal canopies used to store compressed 1,000-pound bales of recycled cardboard and other items. The storage pads are separated by approximately 75 feet.
Manistique Public Safety requested pumper and tanker support from surrounding agencies, including agencies from Delta County. Public Safety and Manistique Volunteer firefighters immediately attacked the fire with multiple master streams.
Officials estimate that 1,200 bales of cardboard were destroyed in the fire, costing nearly $100,000. Manistique and Delta County fire crews sprayed approximately 1,000,000 gallons of water on the burning materials.
Primary fire crews remained on scene for approximately 18 hours before turning the scene over to UP Paper representatives, who continued to overhaul the smoldering materials. While on scene, firefighters were thankful to receive food and beverages from the U.P. Chapter of the Red Cross, private citizens, and
businesses. No injuries to firefighters or support personnel were reported.
A criminal investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing by Manistique Public Safety officers. Individuals of interest have been identified, but no details as to who or why will be released, pending a completed investigation. No foul play is suspected involving UP Paper LLC or any of its employees. The investigation has found that the suspects have no affiliation with the company or any of their employees.
