Clinton Township, Michigan – A devastating fire and multiple explosions at a building in suburban Detroit resulted in the tragic death of one individual and left a firefighter injured. Investigators are now focusing on the vaping supply distributor that operated within the site.
First responders and witnesses reported hearing repeated explosions at the scene, believed to be caused by canisters containing gas chemicals. The specific cause of the fire has yet to be determined, with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives among those currently investigating the incident.
The building housed a distributor for the vaping industry known as Goo, where canisters with nitrous and butane were stored. Fire Chief Tim Duncan revealed that the business was not authorized to have such materials, as confirmed by Township officials following an inspection in 2022.
Recent deliveries of butane canisters to the building added to the already hazardous stockpile, which included over 100,000 vape pens. Owners and employees of Goo are cooperating with authorities, who are now dealing with the aftermath of the explosion, which left canisters embedded in nearby buildings.
According to experts like Ben Ilozor from Eastern Michigan University, the intensity of the fire and explosions can be attributed to the highly flammable nature of butane and the combustible potential of nitrous. The presence of lithium batteries in vaping devices also poses a significant fire hazard.
As cleanup efforts begin, Clinton Township officials have advised residents to steer clear of the site, which will be fenced off and guarded for safety. Despite the chaos, there have been no reports of dangerous air quality in the area, as confirmed by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.