Judge orders shutdown of Ionia County manufacturer amid health concerns

Belding, Mich. – A judge has ordered a Michigan manufacturer to cease operations amid concerns among health officials about a June dumpster fire and the release of chemical clouds.

The Daily News of Greenville reports an Ionia County judge last week signed a temporary restraining order about the Kassouni Manufacturing Inc. facility in Belding, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. The order was requested by the Ionia County Health Department.

The Associated Press left a message seeking comment Wednesday from the company.

Circuit Court Judge Ronald Schafer ordered KMI to cease operations and secure the facility, which produces chlorine tablets used for swimming pools and calcium chloride for melting ice and snow, as well as does plastic injection molding.

State health and environmental officials also have been involved after the fire.