(La Porte County, IN) - An industrial type fire in the Michigan City area caused considerable damage last night.

 

Firefighters from multiple departments responded to County Road 400 North near Hitchcock St. on a report of flames coming from the back of a facility that repairs large electric motors.

 

Coolspring Township firefighter Warren Smith said it appears the fire began in the area of a furnace used in cleaning industrial sized electric motors.

 

“Most of the fire was contained to the furnace area on the side of the building,” he said.

 

Smith estimated the damage at no less than $100,000.

 

“They’re definitely going to have to do some repairs,” he said.

 

There were no injuries.  Firefighters were on the scene for over three hours.

 

Smith said the cause of the fire is not known but it’s under investigation with help from the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office.  He believes the company will be able to continue operations until the necessary repairs are completed.