Fire destroys former chicory factory

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Port Huron fire crews extinguished an overnight blaze at a former factory turned warehouse on the Black River in Port Huron. Crews were called to the former chicory plant on 12th Avenue around 10pm Friday night. Batallian Chief Dale Minard tells WPHM fire fighters worked all through the night to put out the blaze. Crews continued to put out hot spots throughout the day on Saturday. Minard says there were no injuries in the fire and the building was unoccupied at the time the fire broke out. Due to extensive damage, demolition crews had to tear the building down as it was in an unstable condition.  The former chicory plant was being used as a warehouse at the time. Firefighters were able to to contain the fire from spreading to other warehouses nearby.  The Port Huron Fire Department was assisted by crews and trucks from the Marysville and Fort Gratiot Fire Departments. City Manager James Freed in a statement says, “Redevelopment of this site should become a priority for our city.” Chicory is a plant that was commonly used as a coffee substitute, especially during the first and second world wars.  Port Huron was once known as the chicory capital of America.