CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A teenager was killed after being struck by debris launched from a series of explosions Monday night in Clinton Township.
Read: Teen killed by explosion debris was 1,000 feet from burning Macomb County business
The massive fire and explosions destroyed a building and hospitalized a firefighter.
The level of injuries, however, could have been significantly worse. The explosions launched scrap across a wide area and officials are still working to find out how large the debris field is. The 19-year-old was standing roughly 1,500 feet from the building when he was struck by debris. He died at the hospital early Tuesday morning.
A business and its distribution facility caught fire Monday night in Macomb County, triggering continuous explosions of combustible material lasting into Tuesday morning. The business, located near the intersection of 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway in Clinton Township, was storing butane, nitrous oxide, lighter fluid and more. Officials said Select Distributors provides marijuana-related items and equipment to the local marijuana industry.
The explosions were believed to be caused by several canisters of butane, nitrous oxide, and lighter fluid stored in the building. Investigators initially believed a fire started and heated up the containers and the gases, causing a series of explosions to occur Monday night and even into Tuesday morning.
Read more: ‘Truckload of butane’: Fire chief explains source of explosions in Macomb County
The debris that was scattered across the area included large, heavy jagged pieces of metal that used to be storage containers, butane containers and the contents of the store, which sold several novelty items, such as Batman-themed knives. Local 4 reporter Rod Meloni found a burned Batman-themed knife in a grassy area relatively close to the now-ruined building. It’s unknown how many knives were thrown into the adjacent neighborhoods.
Several containers thrown by the explosions were so hot that they melted through the roofs of nearby buildings.
Township supervisors and building inspectors didn’t think anything was stored in the building. They said they approved a permit in 2022 for a retail operation, but not for the storage of liquid gas. Officials said there was a large cache of stuff that should not have been stored in the building.
Read: Illegally storing gases? Macomb County business where fire triggered explosions slammed by officials
Residents are urged to not touch any debris as there are concerns they could still have gases inside them that could explode.
The owners of the business are being questioned.
During a press conference Tuesday morning, Clinton Township Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Brower reassured residents that the water in the area remains safe to drink.
“Our drinking water is absolutely fine,” Brower said. “It comes out of pipes. It comes from a long way’s away from here. The water’s absolutely perfect.”
Read: Clinton Township water safe to drink following massive fire, explosions
Officials are expected to have another update for the public regarding the incident at 4 p.m.
