Clinton Township, Michigan – An explosion tore through an industrial building on Monday night, scattering debris and flames in the sky. The incident resulted in two injuries and a persistent fire that burned for approximately two hours before being contained.
The explosion caused heavy metal cannisters to rain down on the roadways of 15 Mile and Groesbeck Highway, damaging police and fire vehicles in the area. The aftermath of the blast could be felt as far away as Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township and Warren.
Residents in the vicinity described the explosion as deafening, with one individual likening it to the sound of powerful speakers in a car trunk. The impact of the blast caused power outages in nearby homes as everything rattled.
Fire Chief Tim Duncan of Clinton Township Fire Department reported that four employees inside the building managed to evacuate just before the explosion, which blew the structure apart. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
The incident led to confusion regarding the name of the affected business, with firefighters initially referring to it as a supplier to Goo Smoke Shop, while County Executive Mark Hackel identified it as Select Distributors, known for selling nitrogen tanks and other products.
The dangerous scene prompted the closure of 15 Mile and Groesbeck Highway to motorists, resulting in significant traffic disruptions. Emergency crews from various departments responded to the scene, including firefighters from Harrison Township, Mount Clemens, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Efforts to clean up the area and ensure public safety were underway, with work crews preparing to remove cannisters from the road and reopen the closed roads to traffic. Authorities urged residents to stay away from the vicinity of the explosion due to the risk of falling debris.
Overall, the explosion in Clinton Township left a trail of destruction and raised concerns about safety in the area. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident and prevent future accidents.