Drivers along I-94 between Paw Paw and Mattawan Thursday afternoon were witness to huge black plumes of smoke pouring from a massive fire at a tire store along Red Arrow Highway that has virtually destroyed the business.
Mattawan Fire Department crews were first on the scene at Boven Tire of Paw Paw, located at 28838 E. Red Arrow Highway between the two communities in Antwerp Township. They called for assistance and the Lawton Fire Department also arrived on the scene along with police from the Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post, Lawrence Township and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department.
Eyewitnesses said the building appeared to be a complete loss, but noted too that nobody was injured in the smoky blaze.
Indications are that the fire got its start outside of the building around 2pm, but quickly spread to equipment and tire inventories inside resulting in the thick, black clouds of smoke seen along I-94 and beyond.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Great Lakes Drone Company of Watervliet who used aerial drones and thermal imaging to help firefighters pinpoint hot spots and track their recovery work.
Fire investigation teams are continuing their search for clues, but there was no indication whatsoever of anything suspicious in the fire.
