By James Windell
Good Neighbor Day was scheduled to be celebrated on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at
the Pavilion in downtown South Haven.
But unexpected events have a way of changing life for a community.
As soon as explosions shook South Haven and a massive fire broke out at the East Jordan Plastics factory on Friday afternoon, September 25, the community mobilized to fight the fire and pitch in to support the fire fighters.
First on the scene were the first responders who work and volunteer with the South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES). But with the fire escalating to a 5-alarm fire, in all 17 other fire departments deployed trucks and firefighters to help out. Other responding fire departments included those from Bangor, Columbia, Covert, Bloomingdale, Lawrence, Sisters Lake, Keeler, Fennville, Saugatuck, Watervliet, Lee, and Ganges.
But it wasn’t just other fire departments who came to help out SHAES.
Shortly after the fire was reported, a South Haven Police Officer called Superintendent of South Haven Schools Ana Aleman-Putman.
“Officer Fil [Garcia] asked me if the schools could help evacuate the employees of East Jordan Plastics,” Aleman-Putman said. “So, I ran downstairs and got Dave Johnson, our new
transportation director, told him what was needed, and he said ‘Let’s go.’”
Arriving at the scene of the fire, Aleman-Putman and Johnson found the employees waiting outside the factory with their HR Director, who, Aleman-Putman said, did a nice job of accounting for all of the employees working that day and making sure they were out of all buildings.
“I called the high school and told them we were bringing them there and when we got to the high school the principal, Amy Cockburn, Carey Frost, Assistant Superintendent, and Kristy Jenks all welcomed the employees and had water and snacks for them,” the Superintendent said.
Compton, Inc., a local excavating company, quickly had earth movers on the scene removing flaming bales from the building so they could be extinguished. “Later in the evening,” noted SHAES Fire Chief Brandon Hinz, “Compton’s ran back and forth from their shop to fuel our apparatus that were running low after pumping for six to seven hours straight by that point.”
Soon, emergency lighting units arrived, and Lakefront Roofing dropped off porta potties. The Red Cross arrived and set up food and beverages for all of the first responders. Three Blondes Brewing brought pizzas. One local business brought trays of sub sandwiches. Then, other snacks and water started appearing – all courtesy of the good neighbors of South Haven.
The South Haven Police Department was also on the scene directing traffic.
“They were very efficient and kept people away from the scene,” commented SHAES and Beacon photographer Tom Renner.
“It was such a community effort,” concluded Aleman-Putman.
“In the midst of this horrific fire, our neighbors, school district, and businesses showed up to help with food, support and comfort,” adds Mayor Annie Brown. “Thank you to all the area fire departments who showed up immediately to assist Chief Hinz. We are a grateful community.”
Hinz says that the support was overwhelming because so many people helped out.
“I don’t think these individuals and businesses know what all of this support means to us,” Hinz says. “We have great pride in the services we provide our community, but the support they showed us when we need it was heartwarming.”
