Full Breakdown
Massive Fire Engulfs East Jordan Plastics Plant in South Haven, Triggering Citywide Power Outage
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The Incident Unfolds
On September 25, 2026, a large fire broke out at the East Jordan Plastics facility on Stieve Drive in South Haven, Michigan. South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) reported that the blaze started in pallets of plastic stored outside the plant and quickly spread inside, producing multiple propane explosions that lofted tanks hundreds of feet. All employees were evacuated safely and no injuries have been reported. The fire remained far from fully extinguished for several hours, prompting a citywide power shutdown because the main electrical substation sits only about 200 yards from the site.
Timeline of Key Moments
- ? 3:45 p.m. – Firefighters arrive on scene.
- Just before 4:00 p.m. – Fire ignites in external plastic pallets.
- ? 5:00 p.m. – SHAES receives the first call; smoke visible for miles.
- ? 6:30 p.m. – Fire declared contained, though crews continue working to fully extinguish (SHAES, WSJM).
- ? 10:30 p.m. – Partial power restoration reported.
Data and Scale of the Response
- Fire departments: More than 10 departments from three counties responded, with at least 11 agencies on the scene.
- Power customers affected: Approximately 7,400 residential and business customers lost electricity, according to the Michigan Public Power Agency, a consortium of municipal utilities.
- Smoke visibility: Plumes were seen on cameras over 40 miles away and reported by residents up to 30 miles from the plant (WSJM, fox17online).
- Infrastructure impact: The Dyckman Bridge, the only crossing over the Black River, lost power and was taken out of service.
Official Statements & Responses
South Haven Public Schools cancelled all Homecoming activities, including the parade and football game, citing student and community safety. The football game was later rescheduled for Saturday at noon in Watervliet. SHAES emphasized that no evacuations were ordered beyond the plant’s workforce, but nearby residents were asked to leave their homes as a precaution. The city’s electric department warned that mass power outages would continue until the fire was fully contained, with no definitive restoration timeline provided.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents reported early evacuations from work and downtown shops closing early due to the outage.
Verbatim Quotes
“There was an enormous boom like none I’ve ever heard,” — Radio’s Paul Layendecker