UPDATE (4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23): After investigating the surrounding area, EPA and EGLE have confirmed that there are no visible signs of contamination or debris from the Michner Plating plant fire. The investigation assessed the two storm water outflows to the Grand River on both July 22 and 23.
UPDATE (9:51 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23): A 15-year-old boy admitted to law enforcement that he set fire to a building in the 500 block of North Mechanic Street, according to Jackson PD activity. That is where the abandoned Michner Plating Plant is.
The Jackson Police Department alert page said the 15-year-old is being held at the Jackson County Youth Center for arson.
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JACKSON, Mich. — Jackson-area fire departments were on the scene Tuesday evening to fight a fire at the abandoned Michner Plating plant.
A representative of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was also on the scene discussing monitoring of air quality with Jackson Fire Department Chief Tim Gonzales.
WATCH: JACKSON CREWS INVESTIGATE FIRE AT OLD MICHNER PLANT
Gonzales confirms there was a fire in the old factory Tuesday and it has now been extinguished. The cause is under investigation.
When Jackson County took possession of the old factory in 2015 due to unpaid taxes, more than a thousand drums of toxic chemicals were discovered inside.
The drums were removed, but the site remains contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds, metals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, according to the EPA.
WATCH: EPA UPDATE ON TOXIC SITE IN JACKSON
In 2022, the plant was added to the EPA's National Priorities List, making it eligible for federal clean-up funding.
CHECK OUT OUR PRIOR COVERAGE OF THE SITE HERE.
HERE IS THE EPA'S REPORT ON THE SITE.
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