Fire rages at Sterling Services Ltd. in Hamtramck, Mich.

A fire broke out on Thursday, Aug. 27, at Sterling Service Ltd. The company is registered as a bulk petroleum facility that stores large quantities of gasoline and other fuels such as jet fuel and bio fuels. The facility is on more than five acres and has a storage capacity of about 5 million gallons. The fire started near a rail tanker car that quickly spread to silos holding gasoline. It broke out around 11:30 AM and caused authorities to evacuate for about a half-mile around the fire. This included a nearby complex of 36 buildings containing 300 apartments and some 700 to 800 residents. Air quality at the facility was being monitored by officials.

Amtrak passenger rail service was suspended between Pontiac and Detroit, about 20 miles apart. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said passengers were shuttled between the cities by charter bus. An evacuation center was set up at a nearby senior center with water available for evacuees.

"I thought it was going to blow. The fire was so enormous and then there was an explosion," said Loretta Nasbitt, who lives near the plant.

"I've lived here over 30 years and this is the first time that we've ever seen anything like this," Lutalo Sephers said.

Sources:
Grant, David, David Aguilar, and David Goodman. "Fire tears through fuel storage plant near Detroit." Journal News. The Associated Press, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Aug. 2009.
Williams, Corey. "Fire rages at chemical plant near Detroit." Google News. Associated Press, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Aug. 2009.