Despite smoke, neighbors return to homes near warehouse fire

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (WJBK) - A Highland Park warehouse that turned into a fiery inferno on Wednesday could be a problem for firefighters for at least a week. As residents return to their home, the fire continues to burn.

The square block has been burning since Wednesday morning, forcing most residents to be evacuated. Since then, firefighters have been battling the fire and have cut it in half. But that's done little to stem the smoke from the recycling facility that's creating a toxic cloud that smoked people out of their home, people like Wilford Brown.

"The maintenance came around telling everybody they had to evacuate," Brown was one of about a dozen people forced out on Wednesday.

Thursday, Soul Harest Ministries on Woodward is stepping up. Bishop Lewis Evans says acts of service isn't anything new.

"Every Wednesday at 12 noon we supply food, clothing to the community. For the last 15 years," Evans said.

Evans said when police called for help, the prayer room got ready for overnight guests. Between 30 and 40 people were brought to the church, including kids.

"They asked me if we had room I said yes! This is what we do," Evans said. "My heart went out great passion for the kids. Many looked bewildered behind this."

The bus came by, loaded up, and drove off towards the smoke.

Desperate for home comforts, the families returned home. Bishop evans and the Red Cross team say the shelter will be back open if the smoke gets to be too much.

It could be a few days before the fire completely out. That's when investigators will get in to see what caused it in the first place.