Clinton Township, Michigan – After a series of explosions that leveled a building on Monday night, hot spots continue to flare up in Clinton Township. The incident occurred at the building housing Goo and Select Distributors at 15 Mile and Groesbeck, resulting in multiple explosions that sent debris flying up to two miles away. Tragically, a 19-year-old man lost his life when struck by debris about a quarter mile from the building.
Fire Chief Tim Duncan of Clinton Township reported that the explosions were triggered by nitrous tanks, butane, lighter fluid, and over 100,000 vape pens with lithium batteries illegally stored in the building. The presence of these hazardous materials posed challenges for firefighters upon arriving at the scene, as they had to wait for the explosions to subside before being able to combat the flames.
Even after Monday night, flames continued to flare up, necessitating ongoing efforts to extinguish them. However, investigators faced obstacles in accessing the blast site due to safety concerns posed by potentially active canisters that were propelled from the explosion site. As a precaution, residents were urged not to touch any canisters they come across but to report them promptly.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with improper storage of flammable materials. The devastation caused by the explosions underscores the importance of adherence to safety regulations and protocols in handling volatile substances to prevent such tragic events from occurring in the future. Authorities are working diligently to secure the site and assess the full extent of the damage caused by the explosions.