(LAPEER COUNTY) – Firefighters from five departments battled a stubborn fire between Imlay City and Almont last weekend, pouring over 100,000 gallons of water on the blaze.
Heavy, thick black smoke emitting from from burning tires and other materials hampered traffic on M-53 in both directions, creating a haze that was difficult to see through at times.
Smoke from the fire could be seen from Genesee, Sanilac, St. Clair and Macomb counties.
Fire officials say an area measuring 60 x 125 feet was deluged with water and eventually, a biodegradable solution that extinguished the flames after more than five hours of burning last Saturday.
Firefighers from Almont, Berlin and Attica Townships, along with Imlay City and Dryden fire departments responded to the scene.
Fire officials and an environmentalist continue to investigate the cause of the fire and what, if any, penalties will be assessed due to the tires and other materials being burned.
