CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The investigation into the cause of a large fire and series of explosions in Clinton Township that killed a teenager began Wednesday morning.
A firefighter injured during the incident has since been released from the hospital.
As officials work to determine the cause, hot spots and a reemerging fire persists. Michigan State Police Bomb Squad and fire crews remains on scene as there are concerns about the explosive nature.
Members of the MSP Bomb Squad are continuing to assist the Clinton Township Fire Department in locating dangerous debris from the recent explosion. If you happen to find canister debris, please do not touch and call 586.469.5502 or 911. pic.twitter.com/Vj8cXK0s9R
— MSP Second District (@mspmetrodet) March 6, 2024
Goo and Select Distributors 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 building is a former Save-A-Lot retail and warehouse store.
The business was not approved to have the gas it was storing and officials with Clinton Township stressed they had no idea what was inside the building.
Is it safe? Clinton Township officials respond to community questions after explosive fire
Township Manager Bob Cannon said the business was operating a back-door warehouse that should not have been there.
“Two businesses were authorized to be in that building. They were commercial businesses,” Cannon said. “It is not an industrial building. It wasn’t built to have the kind of materials that you saw explode out of there. There has to be a special construction for that kind of material, and it has to be in an industrial area.”
Related: Illegally storing gases? Macomb County business where fire triggered explosions slammed by officials
Authorities looked to do follow up interviews with the owner of Goo LLC, Noor Kestou, but they said he did not make himself available to them.
Local 4 reporter Rod Meloni visited his Commerce Township home but no one answered. A phone call was also not answered.
Cannon said people will be held accountable.
“There is no way anyone in our community would want something like that in that building and you saw the results of it and you see the reason why you have to have zoning areas and you have to have codes and you have to have enforcement of our codes,” Cannon said.
The investigation is expected to take several days, potentially more than a week.
Residents are urged not to touch any canisters as there are concerns they could still have gases inside them that could explode. Authorities said 25 unexploded canisters have been recovered and turned over to Michigan State Police Bomb Squad.
Residents and business owners can report damage to authorities here.
The investigation in the deadly explosion is ongoing. You can find up-to-date coverage here.
