Nearly 20 fire departments battle late Feb. 25, blaze near Marcellus

The late Sunday night, Feb. 25, structure fire at 51540 M-40 Highway, Marcellus, that destroyed Tri-Star Molding facility, a custom plastics injection molding company, saw nearly 20 area fire departments from two counties battle the blaze. Paw Paw and Mattawan fire departments were two of the many fire departments that assisted in fighting the Cass County fire.
Paw Paw Fire Chief Jim DeGroff, said, “It was a very large fire. Multiple agencies worked together between the two counties. I think everything went well.” Paw Paw Fire Department responded with four trucks and 22 members. “We were there with cleanup for six hours.”
Mattawan Fire District Fire Chef Scott Brooks said on Monday, “We were in Marcellus along with approximately 18 other departments. Mattawan Ladder 2541 was set up flowing water extinguishing the fire for approximately three hours. Mattawan tanker 2531 and 2532 both were shuttling water for approximately 4-1/2 hours and each moved 18,000 gallons of water.