Statement issued shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday:
The Fort Wayne Fire Department is currently on scene at Mid-American Steel Inc., 5402 Moeller Road.
A heavy equipment crane came in contact with high power lines, creating an arc which ignited 1,000 sq. ft of tires stored outside the facility.
The power lines remained energized until AEP arrived on scene to render it safe to operate in the immediate area.
In order to extinguish the bulk of the fire FWFD and building representatives used other heavy machinery to gain access to the tires.
New Haven and Southwest Fire Departments were utilized for their foam supply and to assist as needed. No injuries are noted at this time and crews will remain on scene to control any spot fires and run off created by the by-products of the materials.
Update
Statement issued shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday:
The Fort Wayne Fire Department responded to Mid American Steel Inc., 5402 Moeller Road, for reported wires down.
Upon arrival, crews found that a heavy equipment crane had come in contact with high power lines, creating an arc
which ignited approx. 1,000 sq. ft of tires stored outside the facility. The power lines remained energized until AEP
arrived on scene to render it safe to operate in the immediate area. In order to extinguish the bulk of the fire, FWFD and
building representatives used other heavy machinery to spread the tires and gain access to the fires. New Haven and
Southwest Fire Departments were utilized for their foam supply and to assist as needed. No injuries were noted to fire
personnel or civilians. Crews will remain on scene to control any spot fires. This fire has been cleared as accidental.
