5 Firefighters Hurt Battling Wayne County Chemical Plant Fire

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — Authorities said five firefighters were injured while battling a fire at a chemical plant in Wayne County Wednesday afternoon and into Wednesday evening.

The fire began around 1:30 p.m. at the RJ Marshall Company in Rockwood, but crews remained on the scene for hours after, officials said. The five firefighters injured in the blaze were hospitalized due to heat exhaustion, according to WXYZ.

The Monroe County Emergency Management department posted on social media, asking residents to avoid the area south of Woodruff Road, east of I-75, north of the Huron River and west of Jefferson Road. Eight hours after posting, the department said residents could return home, but the shelter in place order remains in place until 8 a.m. Thursday.

A shelter in place was issued for parts of Wayne County surrounding the fire scene, while others closer to the plant were asked to evacuate.

The plant is located at 21220 Huron River Dr. in Rockwood. The company supplies industrial raw materials and flame retardant solutions, according to its website.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Related: Chemical Plant Fire Prompts Evacuations In Southeast Wayne County