Environmental officials: River Rouge asphalt fire not a problem

George Hunter and Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News

River Rouge -- Environmental officials have determined there is no dangerous fallout from an industrial fire that broke out in River Rouge this morning.

Paving-grade asphalt in a 70-square-yard area went up in flames during a cleanup shortly after 9 a.m., said Curt Robinson, terminal manager at Michigan Marine Terminal in River Rouge. It had spilled from a leak in May at the property, he said.

An oil storage tank on the property also exploded.

After the fire was put out, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard determined there was no residual danger, said River Rouge Fire Capt. Robert Fullbaum.

"If someone had inhaled the smoke while the fire was still going strong, that would be one thing, but the EPA and Coast Guard said everything's OK now," Fullbaum said.

No injuries or evacuations were reported.

Shortly after noon today, orange barrels blocked entry to Marion Street, south of Jefferson Avenue, and a police officer in a black sport-utility vehicle guarded the thoroughfare.

A Detroit Fire Department Hazmat crew was training about six blocks west of the fire. One of the members, who did not give his name, said he was unaware of any air quality issues resulting from the blaze.

Officials with U.S. Steel and BP Products companies had disputed earlier reports indicating the blaze was at one of their facilities in the area.

James Buford, Wayne County's director of homeland security and emergency management, said hazardous materials crews and other emergency personnel responded to the scene.

Deanne Belcher, 20, lives near the fire and watched the rising dark smoke from about a quarter-mile away.

"I'm not too concerned because it's not gasoline," she said. "There is a concern because of all the smoke."

She said people near the area are used to living around refineries and factories, and accidents like these aren't uncommon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.