Tuesday night was a busy night for Oxford and Addison firefighters.
Oxford firefighters were called to Barron Cast Inc. (located at 215 Plexis Road between Oakwood and Metamora roads) at 9:01 p.m. to battle a blaze that began when one of the company’s ‘burnout ovens? malfunctioned, according to Oxford Fire Chief Jack LeRoy.
The ovens are used to burn the wax off metal casting molds.
The plant was immediately evacuated and no employees were injured as a result of the fire.
LeRoy said the blaze was under control within 28 minutes of the call.
Heat and smoke damage was sustained throughout the plant’s shop area.
The fire caused an estimated $175,000 in damage and the oven was heavily damaged, LeRoy said.
LeRoy said the fire ‘appeared much worse than it was? because when wax burns it gives off ‘a lot of black smoke.?
Firefighters from Addison, Metamora and Orion townships were at scene to provide backup.
But the night was not over for Addison firefighters who were dispatched to the Hidden Lake Estates Modular Home Park on Rochester Road at 11:46 p.m. to battle a burning double-wide home at 202 Lakeshore.
According to Addison Fire Chief George Spencer, an ‘overuse of (electrical) extension cords? was the cause of the fire, which was deemed accidental.
Spencer said the fire was under control in ?3 or 4 minutes? after firefighters arrived on the scene at 11:50 p.m.
Two people were injured as a result of the blaze.
A 15-year-old girl, the daughter of the homeowner, was transported to Crittenton Hospital in Rochester Hills after suffering smoke inhalation. She was treated and released.
Spencer said the girl went back inside the home before firefighters arrived and attempted to retrieve some personal items. Once inside, she became trapped, but fortunately her mother pulled her out of the burning structure through a bedroom window before firefighters arrived, the chief said.
‘Please don’t ever, ever, ever, ever, ever go back inside (a burning structure) for anything,? Spencer said as a reminder to residents. He noted that property can be replaced, but lives cannot.
An Addison firefighter was also transported to Crittenton after suffering heat exhaustion. The firefighter was treated and released.
Spencer said the fire caused an estimated $40,000 in damage to the structure and contents.
The Oakland Township Fire Department assisted Addison on the call.
Spencer noted the home had no smoke detectors.