Submitted photos Fire crews from four counties were called in Thursday afternoon to fight a blaze at Superior Cedar Products in Carney.

CARNEY — Firefighters from four counties were called to Menominee County on Thursday to battle a massive blaze at Superior Cedar Products in Carney.

The fire started early Thursday afternoon when, according to a press release issued by the Menominee County Sheriff’s Department Friday, an equipment fire spread to unprocessed wood. Upon arriving, deputies attempted to located all employees, but one was unaccounted for. After an intense search, the employee was located on the burning equipment. Due to the intense heat from the fire, law enforcement and rescue teams were unable to assist the employee, who was killed in the blaze.

Roughly 30 agencies from Menominee, Dickinson and Delta counties in Michigan, plus Marinette County in Wisconsin, were enlisted to help douse the logs and lumber in the yard to keep the fire from expanding further. Tankers had to bring in water from nearby Powers. Crews remained at the business on U.S 41 in Carney late into the night.

A total of 175 law enforcement, firefighting and EMS personnel responded to the scene, with 52 pieces of fire apparatus, five EMS units, and six law enforcement units. The American Red Cross and Menominee County Victims Service Unit were also on hand to provide support, food and water to responders.

“Our deepest appreciation goes out to our staff and the first responders from the surrounding areas. The rapid response was nothing short of amazing,” said the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office in its release.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday evening declared a state of emergency for Menominee County, at the county’s request. It makes available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. It also authorizes Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate with other member states of an Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact, including Wisconsin, to use available resources.

Though more than 100 firefighters in the region responded, established a perimeter and contained the blaze, “this emergency will demand an ongoing response for many hours,” state officials said.

“Right now, it is an all-hands-on-deck effort to contain the blaze to ensure that we protect life and property, and prevent this fire from spreading further,” Whitmer said in a statement, adding, “I want to thank the brave first responders who rushed to the scene for their incredible sacrifices.”