Clinton Township, Michigan – A tragic incident unfolded in suburban Detroit as a large fire followed by multiple explosions at a building claimed the life of one person and injured a firefighter. The incident left investigators with questions surrounding a vaping supply distributor operating at the site.
Authorities suspect that canisters containing gas chemicals may have triggered the explosions reported by first responders and witnesses. However, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. Various agencies, including the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, are currently conducting investigations into the matter.
The building, known as Goo, housed a distributor for the vaping industry, with canisters storing nitrous and butane. Surprisingly, the business was not authorized to have such materials on site, according to Township officials. It was revealed that a recent inspection did not reveal the extent of the materials present at the facility.
A significant amount of butane canisters had arrived at the building shortly before the fire, with more than half of the stock still remaining on site. Additionally, over 100,000 vape pens were stored within the premises. Owners and employees of the distributor are assisting investigators in unraveling the events that led to the tragic incident.
Experts have pointed out the high flammability of butane and the explosive nature of nitrous, which could have contributed to the intensity of the fire and subsequent explosions. The failure of lithium batteries, common in vaping devices, also poses a known fire hazard. Authorities believe that the deceased individual was struck by a canister that traveled a significant distance from the building.
As cleanup efforts begin, Clinton Township officials have urged residents to steer clear of the site, which will be secured and monitored. Despite the tragic events, there have been no reports of dangerous air quality in the area. Monitoring by local hazardous materials crews has not detected any concerning substances in the air.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with improper handling of flammable materials and highlights the importance of adhering to safety regulations in all industries. The community is left mourning the loss of life and hoping for a swift recovery for the injured firefighter.