Story perspectives

Propane explosions drive massive East Jordan Plastics fire

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 4:08 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Firefighters Battle Blaze

Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at East Jordan Plastics in South Haven, Michigan.
The fire ignited around 4 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, in outdoor plastic pallets.
Propane explosions hurled tanks hundreds of feet, spreading flames inside the plant.
Six agencies and 11 fire departments from three counties are fighting the third-alarm fire.
The blaze caused citywide power outages for about 7,400 customers and prompted school event cancellations.

Summary

Plant Workers Evacuated

Resident Paul Layendecker reported a massive boom that rattled his house and produced thick black smoke.
All plant employees were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported among workers or nearby residents.
SHAES stayed on scene for several hours to monitor the still-smoldering blaze after containment.
Power to South Haven was restored around 10:30 p.m. after crews shut it off because of a nearby substation.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 West Fertilizer Company blast in West, Texas, killed 15 people and injured about 200, exposing weak federal and state controls on ammonium-nitrate storage. That disaster helped drive Michigan’s 2024 Chemical Plant Safety Act, which now requires blast-mitigation systems at facilities such as the East Jordan Plastics plant that ignited in 2026.

1 of 3

Firefighters Battle Blaze

Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at East Jordan Plastics in South Haven, Michigan.
The fire ignited around 4 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, in outdoor plastic pallets.
Propane explosions hurled tanks hundreds of feet, spreading flames inside the plant.
Six agencies and 11 fire departments from three counties are fighting the third-alarm fire.
The blaze caused citywide power outages for about 7,400 customers and prompted school event cancellations.

1 / 3