WHITMORE LAKE, Mich. – Members of the community came together at Whitmore Lake High School to hold a vigil in remembrance of the four individuals who tragically lost their lives in a house explosion. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the death of 51-year-old Hope Bragg, her 53-year-old husband Don, and their children, 22-year-old Kenneth and 19-year-old Elizabeth.
The homeowner, 72-year-old Richard Pruden, was severely injured but survived the explosion, while his 16-year-old son, Stephen, also survived. Both Pruden and Stephen Bragg are currently in stable condition in the hospital.
The Bragg family, who were visiting from Arkansas, was described as adventurous, happy, fun, loving, and smart by Township manager Ken Dignan.
According to Lt. David Powell, investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion, which is believed to be an undetermined fuel-air blast. However, at this time, foul play is not suspected.
The investigation has also revealed that the explosion caused significant damage to the residence, with the basement walls crumbling and concrete strewn throughout the property.
As the community mourns the loss of the Bragg family and supports the recovery of Richard Pruden and Stephen Bragg, GoFundMe pages have been set up to help with medical expenses.
The tragic incident has left the community, as well as investigators, grappling with the question of how such a devastating event could have occurred. The impact of the explosion has left the community reeling, with many seeking answers and offering support to those affected by the tragedy.