DETROIT – Detroit firefighters spent much of Thursday afternoon dousing and working to contain a level 3 hazmat fire at a chemical company on Mount Elliott Street just south of McNichols Road.
No injuries were reported at the building which houses Chemical Technology Inc. Workers had to be evacuated as toxic flames quickly consumed the place.
Firefighters started to get control of the blaze by about 4 p.m. White smoke started to billow as flames died down. It was a stark contrast to the thick black smoke which could be seen from miles away. Local 4 received reports on the smoke from people in Troy and photos from Windsor, Ontario.
Watch: Fire rips through Detroit chemical company
No evacuations were made at nearby homes and businesses. However, White Elementary School on Charles Street was evacuated. The school is about a mile west of where the fire is.
Parents were told to pick up their children at Frontier International Academy on Conant Street in Hamtramck.
According to the company's website, Chemical Technology Inc. is "your source for the highest quality water base, solvent base and specialty adhesives. As well as lubes, conductive coatings, specialty coatings, cleaners, and mold releases."
Smoke could be seen for miles across the city.
This was the view from across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario.