An explosive material was hurled from a suburban Detroit building in all directions. The materials were thrown half a mile.
Michigan explosion causes hundreds to be ignited and debris to fly into the air
A fire in an industrial building caused hundreds of explosions. The explosions sent debris high into the sky.
Multiple reports claim that a fire in an industrial facility located in a Detroit suburb caused hundreds of explosions Monday night. The fire sent canisters and debris into the air killing one teenager.
Tim Duncan of the Clinton Township Fire Department told WXYZ that the 19-year-old was killed when he was struck by a fragment from the explosion on Tuesday morning.
According to the Detroit Free Press, a fire broke out at 8:40 pm on 19100 15 Mile Road. The company is known to store nitrous tanks, novelty items, and general merchandise.
News helicopter video shows what appears to have been explosive bursts in flames.
Canisters exploded from the building with hundreds of small explosions. One of these canisters hit a firefighter after flying through the windshield.
The Clinton Township Police Department and the Clinton Township Fire Department both requested assistance from local police and fire departments, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, since it was well-known that the business contained combustible material.
The first responders reported seeing material explode from the building. Some of it fell about half a kilometer away. After establishing a perimeter they evacuated businesses and residents. The police urged residents to remain inside.
Air pollution was a major concern.
The police station said: “We cannot stress enough the dangers that are happening now. ” Please stay indoors.
Mark Hackel told WDIV Monday night they believed there were CO2 explosions and propane gas explosions at the facility. Hackel said there were “continuous” explosions and a fire.
The newspaper reported the fire was out after 11 pm.
Hackel explained that the concern of the firefighters is to control the fire but also what’s happening with the air. We have a HAZMAT team testing the air quality.
Select Distributors owns a business located at 19100-15 Mile Road. Around 8:40 pm, the fire started. The store sells novelty items such as nitrous tanks and other general merchandise.
He said that the preliminary results of the air quality tests indicated that there was smoke but no hazardous substances. Testing took place mostly west from Groesbeck, as the smoke had been pushed north slightly by the wind.
Joleen Viultaggio, a Sterling Heights resident, heard the explosions from eight miles away.
According to the Associated Press, she stated, “It was not a huge explosion. It was only a shock.” It was intense and constant.
When first responders arrived, they reported seeing material explode from the building. A quarter-mile distance was affected by some of the material.
Crews cleaned the parking lot and road up until Tuesday morning.
