KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Drivers who use southbound US 131 around the West Rive Drive exit in Kent County should be aware of blocked lanes as cleanup efforts after a large fire overnight continue into Tuesday.
Michigan State Police expect the cleanup will impact lanes well into Tuesday morning around exit 91 in Plainfield Twp. following the Sunday evening blaze.
They're asking drivers to slow down or find another route in the meantime.
At least eight fire departments were called to a fire on the 3600 block of Mill Creek in Comstock Park Sunday night, just hours after containing a fire at that same building early Sunday.
Southbound US-131 at West River Drive was entirely closed overnight while crews worked to contain the flames at GFL Environmental. Two lanes have since reopened, but traffic impacts continue.
Authorities say a hazmat crew was called in overnight to ensure no harmful chemicals got into the nearby water table.
GFL is a national collector and recycler of used oil and burner fuel.
According to its website, the Comstock Park facility served as a drop-off location for liquid and special waste collection.
The flammable liquids stored inside the complex meant the response had to be tailored to minimize exposure.
"With the amount of fire we had, we're worried about exposure, so you've got exposure protection, so we can get the flames knocked down initially," Plainfield Township District Fire Chief Kyle Svoboda related, explaining crews attempted to use as little water as possible in an effort to be mindful of potential contamination. "There's the ability to let it burn instead of running off into the groundwater."
Several large tanks –each holding potentially thousands of gallons -- remained unexploded and appeared to have been spared Monday.
"We're not sure how full those still are," Svoboda said. "Those were not ruptured. So it could have been far worse than what it actually is."
Both the explosion and the resulting runoff would have been significant, Svoboda said.
There is no danger to the public at this time, police say.
Mill Creek fire reignites Sunday night
This is the second fire at this location in just 24 hours. The first fire ignited just before 5 a.m. Sunday morning. While fire crews were able to quickly contain the fire, a section of the building sustained heavy damage.
It is unknown how the fire first began, but police say the cause remains under investigation.
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