Massive explosion, fire on Brown Road in Orion Twp

(WJBK) - WEB UPDATE (7:30 A.M.) Roads are back open and businesses and schools in the area are expected to be open as well. All 911 and non-emergency 10 digit telephone services at the Oakland County Sheriff's Office were also restored in the middle of the night. 

WEB UPDATE (12:30 A.M.): Consumers Energy spokesperson Deborah Dodd said that a transmission line was the source of the fire, not a distribution line, meaning no customers will see a problem with service. 

City gates or control valves will be set up in the city of Orion Township and in the area of Joslyn Road-M15 and Dixie Highway. City gates control the flow of gas, which will stop the flow of gas feeding the fire which will then burn itself out.

WEB UPDATE (11:30): FOX 2's Randy Wimbley said the fire appeared to die down.

A massive fire in Oakland County in the area near Brown and Joclyn roads across from Great Lakes Crossing.

Authorities are closing businesses in the general area, including the Meijer. Workers are trying to shut the valve off. A high pressure natural gas main appears to be the source according to a spokesperson for Consumer's Energy.

The spokesperson said it is unknown what caused the explosion, and that crews are still on the way to the fire. 

"It is across from Great Lakes Crossing mall as I understand it," the spokesperson said. "Hopefully what we can do is isolate that section and stop the flow of gas and then the fire would burn itself out."

There have been no injuries reported. Brown Road has been shut down as first reponders arrive at the area. Auburn Hills police are asking motorists to avoid the area. Some residents have been evacuated in the area as well.

One caller, Lori Stoner, said that it sounded like a "bomb went off" just before the fire. She added that her family has been evacuated from the area.

Multiple fire crews are at the scene of the large blaze near the Auburn Hills and Orion Township border. 

A caller to FOX 2 said that he believes the fire is coming from the site where a new Menard's is being built. He said the fire appears to be coming from Brown Road between Joclyn and Baldwin just north of the Great Lakes Crossing.

A witness, Jimmy, said it sounded like an explosion prior to the fire.

"It was actually pretty loud and shook all the windows in the house," he said. "My son and I went outside to see where it came from and flames went up about 200 feet in the sky."

Stay with FOX 2 for more information as it becomes available.