CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police gave an update Tuesday morning on the massive blaze and explosions that overtook a Macomb County distribution facility Monday night.
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Authorities are still investigating what caused the explosions and fire at a business called Select Distributors, located at 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway in Clinton Township. At around 9 p.m. Monday, several explosions were reported and the building became engulfed in flames.
The explosions continued as the fire raged on.
Clinton Township police said emergency vehicles were damaged by “exploding projectile canisters” on Monday night -- though it was unclear exactly what objects were exploding at the distribution facility. Officials only said Select Distributors “operated as a novelty supply company known to stock combustible materials.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, known as the ATF, was helping with the investigation as of Tuesday morning.
Officials said the massive fire was contained as of around 11 p.m. Monday. Once the fire was out, the concern shifted to air quality in the area due to the many explosions at the facility.
“They understand some type of CO2 or propane explosions were taking place at the facility, and again, it was just continuous explosions, as well as the fire,” Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said Monday night.
---> From last night: Here’s everything we know so far about explosions, fire in Macomb County
It wasn’t immediately clear to authorities what exactly was inside the facility at the time of the explosions and fire. A hazmat team was expected to investigate the scene sometime on Tuesday.
The fire was extinguished as of Tuesday morning, but smoke still billowed from the facility at around 6:30 a.m. Authorities were still concerned about hot spots that could potentially reignite.
One firefighter sustained a minor injury while at the scene and was taken to the hospital, Clinton Township police reported Tuesday. A bystander was also hospitalized after sustaining “injuries associated with the incident,” officials said. Specific details about the injuries or those injured were not provided.
Roadways in the area were closed off Monday night, and people were urged to stay away. The explosions created a debris field that stretched at least a mile from the facility.
Roads were reopened to traffic as of Tuesday morning. A heavy presence of first responders remained at the scene Tuesday.