Clinton Township, Mich. — The preliminary hearing for a building owner charged in connection with a fatal explosion last March is set for Thursday morning. Noor Noel Kestou, 32, faces involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the incident, which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old man struck by flying debris.
The explosion occurred on March 4, 2024, at a warehouse that contained illegal stores of nitrous oxide and butane. Firefighters responding to an earlier fire at the site encountered multiple explosions, with debris scattering up to a mile away. Investigators say conditions at the business, which housed Goo and Select Distributors, had been perilous.
According to officials, the facility was not authorized to store hazardous materials. Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan indicated that the last inspection in 2022 did not reveal the volume of combustible substances present during the explosion. Had those tanks not been there, Duncan suggested, the blast might have been avoided altogether.
Following the explosion, Kestou was apprehended in New York in April 2024 while reportedly preparing to leave the country. Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido stated that Kestou had a plane ticket booked for departure. The details around the explosion have raised significant concerns regarding safety regulations and compliance in the area.
Select Distributors, known for vending vape products, CBD merchandise, and associated goods, was found to have an unauthorized stockpile of dangerous canisters, including lighter fluid, which may have contributed to the series of blasts. Barry Miller from the city’s building department highlighted the business’s compliance shortcomings, noting that a certificate of occupancy had been issued based on an earlier inspection that failed to identify the hazardous materials.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, many residents are reflecting on the regulatory gaps exposed by this incident. Local officials are now advocating for stricter monitoring of commercial properties to prevent future occurrences.
The preliminary hearing is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the explosion and Kestou’s responsibility in the incident. As the court date approaches, community members await justice for the victim and answers about how such a disaster could happen in their neighborhood.