Power outage causes steel spill at Severstal Dearborn, Ford River Rouge Complex

Severstal Dearborn spokeswoman says plant lost power causing steel spill; entire Rouge Complex shut down as precaution

The Ford Rouge Complex was dark Thursday night as crews worked to investigate a power outage. (WDIV, ClickOnDetroit.com)

DEARBORN, Mich. – A DTE Energy power outage Thursday night caused a steel spill at Severstal Dearborn which ultimately shut down power throughout the entire Ford River Rouge Complex.

There were no injuries.

Recommended Videos



About 300 workers were at the Severstal plant at the time of the spill and fire.

Ford Rouge said in a statement issued Thursday night that the plant lost power about 6:10 p.m. A total of 1,800 workers at the assembly, stamping, frame and engine operations were sent home.

Workers should plan on reporting to their regularly scheduled shifts unless otherwise notified by the plant management.

An investigation into the initial power outage is ongoing.