Wednesday morning’s fire at the U.P. Towing & Recycling building, 2311 Ninth Ave. N. in Escanaba, produced a thick plume of black smoke that was visible throughout the city. (Daily Press photo)

ESCANABA — A vehicle that caught fire inside the U.P. Towing & Recycling building late Wednesday morning set off a chain reaction of exploding propane and acetylene tanks that hindered firefighters and sent shrapnel onto neighboring buildings.

Not long after firefighters arrived at 2311 Ninth Ave. N. about 10:30 a.m., it was determined live electrical wires were on the ground on one side of the building, multiple propane tanks in and around the building — some of which were 300-pound tanks — and oxygen and acetylene tanks like those used for welding and oxy-acetylene cutting.

Those near the fire reported hearing explosions every few minutes. Some explosions resulted in plumes of fire that could be seen from a distance.

All employees of the U.P. Towing & Recycling had been safely evacuated from the building before explosions began.

Firefighting efforts were further hindered by only one fire hydrant being available in the area. Tanker trucks were brought in to help bring water to the site and water lines were connected to hydrants further away. At least one city hydrant lost pressure during the firefighting efforts.

The city of Escanaba advised restaurants and other food service establishments on North Lincoln Road between the U.P. State Fairgrounds and Ludington Street to refrain from using water-fed beverage or food equipment, such as coffee makers and soda machines, due to a possibility the firefighting efforts would create dirty water. If dirty water occurred, businesses were advised to run their water for five to 10 minutes to clear the line.

Firefighting crews cleared the site about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Assisting Escanaba Public Safety were DTE, the Escanaba Electric Department, Ford River Township Fire Department, Escanaba Township Fire Department, Bark River Township Fire Department, Brampton Township Fire Department and Rampart EMS. EL&S Railroad also closed down the portion of track that traveled through the area.