Hundreds of explosions from an industrial building fire rocked a Detroit suburb Monday night, sending debris and cans into the air and killing a 19-year-old boy, according to multiple reports.
Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan announced Tuesday morning that the 19-year-old boy was killed by a projectile from the explosion, according to WXYZ.
The fire broke out at the Select Distributors facility at 19100 15 Mile Road around 8:40 p.m., according to the Detroit Free Press. The company reportedly stores nitrous oxide tanks as well as novelty items and miscellaneous goods.
News helicopter video showed a vast bright orange area of fire, with flames exploding in what appeared to be an explosion.
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Firefighters battle a factory fire in Clinton Township, a Detroit suburb, late Monday, March 4, 2024. (WXYZ via AP)
Hundreds of small explosions occurred inside the building, causing containers to explode and fly out of the building, WXYZ reported. One of them broke through the windshield of the fire truck and hit a firefighter.
The Clinton Township Police Department and Clinton Township Fire Department requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives due to the fact that the business is known to store flammable materials. In addition, assistance was requested from local police and fire departments. .
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When first responders arrived on the scene, they saw explosives flying from the building in all directions, with some falling about a mile away, police said. After that, a security system was established and the evacuation of local residents and businesses began. Police asked other residents in the area to stay indoors.
A massive fire broke out at an industrial building in Michigan, setting off hundreds of explosions and scattering debris for about a mile, raising concerns about air quality. (WJBK)
One police post said: “We cannot overstate the current danger.” “Please, please, don’t go near that area.”
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel told WDIV-TV late Monday, “They understand that some type of CO2 or propane explosion was occurring at the facility, but again, it’s not a fire. “It was just a continuous explosion,” he said.
After 11 p.m., he told media outlets the fire was under control.
“What they’re concerned about right now is obviously getting the fire under control, but what’s the air quality like?” Hackel said. “We have a HAZMAT unit that is going to test the air quality so we can get further updates.”
The fire broke out at the Select Distributors facility at 19100 15 Mile Road around 8:40 p.m. Select Distributors reportedly stores nitrous oxide tanks, novelty items and miscellaneous goods. (WJBK)
He said preliminary air quality tests showed there was smoke but nothing dangerous. He said the test was mainly conducted west of Groesbeck because winds were pushing the smoke west and semi-north.
One resident, Jolene Baltaggio, said she heard the explosion from her home in Sterling Heights, 8 miles away.
“I was really surprised because it wasn’t just a one-time boom, it was continuous and very intense,” she said, according to the Associated Press.
When first responders arrived on the scene, they saw explosives flying from the building in all directions, with some falling about a mile away, police said. (WJBK)
Crews remained at the scene until early Tuesday morning, clearing debris from the road and surrounding parking lots.
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The cause of the initial fire is unknown.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
