Large fire at DTE substation in Plymouth

PLYMOUTH TWP., Mich. (WJBK) - Thousands are without power after a fire at a DTE Energy substation in Plymouth Wednesday night.

The fire broke out at the substation on Farmer Street near Adams about 8:30 p.m. A transformer was on fire, shooting flames 20 to 30 feet in the air.

No injuries have been reported. About 4,000 people are without power due to the fire, said an official, who added that DTE is looking at "options" to get them power.

There is no idea yet as to what caused the explosion, which happened as the fire began.

The Northville and Plymouth fire departments responded to the fire. Michigan State Police asked motorists to avoid the area of Beck and M-14.

"I've heard transformers blow before, it sounded like that," witness David Cook said. "All of a sudden you could see lights everywhere and smoke started coming out."

"A whole bunch of wires and a whole bunch of transformers - you've seen them on poles in neighborhoods - this was a gargantuan size transformer," said Paul Sincock, the Plymouth city manager. "The fire was active in one of those major transformers."

DTE cut out the power to the substation once the fire broke out, which allowed firefighters to attack the blaze.