Meridian Magnesium fire investigation may be over, but no details yet

EATON RAPIDS - A report that may determine what caused the city's largest employer to catch fire and get severely damaged by a series of explosions has been completed by Fire Chief Roger McNutt.

It's unclear when any details in the report will be made public. 

McNutt declined Saturday to speak about the report's contents. He said it was completed Thursday — three days after he was able to get access to Meridian Magnesium's north end of its main plant. 

The State Journal filed Wednesday a Freedom of Information request for all reports complied by the City of Eaton Rapids, its fire department, its police department and McNutt since the May 2 incident. 

"Not until you guys get it," said McNutt, when asked by a State Journal reporter if he could reveal any details of the report. 

State law requires a government agency to respond to a FOIA request within five business days.

MORE:

Listen to 911 calls for plant fire, explosion

Meridian Magnesium plans to rebuild plant in four months

Meridian Magnesium will continue to pay for employees

Messages left Saturday with Eaton Rapids City Manager Aaron Desentz and Mayor Paul Malewski weren't returned.

Desentz said Thursday in a two-sentence email that city officials would respond to the State Journal's FOIA request about the fire report "as soon as we can."

Meridian Magnesium's complex is located at 2001 Industrial Drive. The company employed over 400 people at the complex before the incident. Messages left this week with company officials haven't been returned. 

USA Today reported May 11 that Meridian Magnesium has a history of safety violations that date back to December 2013. 

The violations, according to USA Today, include separate incidents in which employees suffered burns. 

 All the violations detailed in the records occurred after the plant was acquired by Chinese automotive firm Wanfeng Auto Holding Group.

McNutt said May 7 he suspected the fire started "down in a scrap chute," at the north end of the main plant where scrap metal is stored, near a series of conveyor belts.

McNutt also said he couldn't access that part of the plant for several days because crews hired by Meridian Magnesium had not removed enough debris in the area to make it safe for occupation. 

The May 2 fire, followed by a series of explosions, damaged the main plant's north end and tore off a section of its roof.

Company officials had to close a portion of the entire complex because of the damage. The closure led to vehicle production delays for some U.S. automakers. 

Malewski, the mayor, said Thursday he was confident McNutt would do his best in a timely manner to determine what caused the fire and explosions. Malewski emphasized that he doesn't second-guess his fire chief. 

"I don't think Roger would be a person to rush to judgement," Malewski said. 

'Spreading the wealth'

At least 200 displaced Meridian Magnesium employees were told May 10 by company officials they will receive health care for 30 days.

Employees were also told they can only receive 30 days of full pay if they do charitable work in the community and submit written proof to the company. 

At least 20 have shown they're serious about giving back to Eaton Rapids through Cardboard Prophets, a non-profit organization that describes itself as "street-based outreach." 

Eaton Rapids resident Mike Karl, 41, founder of Cardboard Prophets, said Saturday the group of people have done everything from mowing lawns to painting building.

"It's spreading the wealth, which is good," Karl said of the volunteer-for-pay program. "That's what we want to see."

"There's a big difference even 20 people can make." 

Employees must conduct 40 hours a week of charity work to receive that amount in pay. 

The program began May 14 and ends June 22. Any employee called back to work is no longer eligible for the program. 

The company has a website, mpaportal.meridian-mag.com, and employee hotline — 248-663-8090 — that provides news about the program and employee recalls. 

A hotline message for Friday didn't state how many employees in Eaton Rapids have been recalled company-wide. 

Sunday fundraiser

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Meridian Magnesium employees will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Red Ribbon Hall, 314 S. Main St. 

The suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Employees and their families can eat for free. 

All funds raised will be donated to the Heart & Hands Food Pantry. 

The event will accept donations of food and baby diapers. 

Laura DeLong, 49, is a lifelong Eaton Rapids resident who is organizing the event. She said Saturday the community appears determined to assist employees. 

"I wouldn't be surprised if there are more fundraisers," DeLong said. "That's just how things work in our community. People always rally together and want to do all they can to help." 

Volunteers are needed from 3 to 8 pm. Sunday at the Red Ribbon Hall to set up the event and clean afterward. For information, visit https://bit.ly/2Kxpj89 or call 517-663-7104.

City officials also want to help Meridian Magnesium employees, those who lost their jobs with the company, and their families. 

City Hall accepts non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items, including diapers, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. 

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.