Today at 3:24 am the Holland DPS Fire Units were dispatched to 926 Waverly Rd. for a fire alarm activation. Upon arrival, approximately 5 minutes later, crews entered the building to find heavy smoke inside with a fire located in palletized materials in the building. Crews quickly advanced lines into the building to extinguish and contain the fire. Prior to arrival the building's fire automatic fire protection system did activate which assisted in limiting damage and providing early notification of the fire.
Once the fire was knocked down and contained by firefighters, they began the process of removing a number of crates that contained lithium ion battery packs, to the exterior of the building to complete extinguishment and allow them to continue to burn in a controlled manner. Firefighters remained on scene to work on ventilating the smoke which was a challenge due to the large size of the building.
There were no injuries reported as a result of this fire and damage estimates are not yet available. The cause of the fire at this time is undetermined and an origin and cause investigation will be initiated. The fire did involved a crate and packaging material that contained a lithium ion battery pack for a vehicle. Several other crates in the fire area were damaged however did not ignite,
This portion of the building is occupied by ATC Drivetrain and as a result of fully functioning automatic fire protection and the quick actions of the firefighters to contain fire spread with handlines, they will be able to reoccupy the building and resume operations soon.
Holland fire personnel received assistance for this multiple alarm fire from Graafschap, Hamilton, Holland Charter Twp., Park Twp. and Zeeland Fire Departments. Crews from American Medical Response provide medical standby and canteen services were provided by the Ottawa County Emergency Management, Volunteer Canteen Services.
All units and personnel cleared the scene around 8:00 am.