IOSCO COUNTY, Mich. – A tank of jet fuel exploded and another landed in a parking lot after they were dropped by a fighter jet flying over Michigan from Toledo.
Officials in Iosco County, Michigan, received a call at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024, about an explosion in the area of Baldwin Resort Road, which is near Lake Huron.
Officers, deputies, and troopers from several different departments went to the area.
The Oscoda Airport reported receiving a discress call from a military aircraft identified as “Buzz 11.” The aircraft had declared an emergency, airport officials said.
No plane arrived at the airport, and nobody there heard any other calls, they said.
Rescue teams from the United States Coast Guard were called because it wasn’t clear if a plane had landed in the water. When they checked Lake Huron, members of the Coast Guard said they found a partial fuel tank.
Investigators learned that two F-16s from the 180 Fighter Squadron in Toledo, Ohio, were flying in the area.
One of the F-16s declared an emergency and dumped two external fuel tanks, which were full of jet fuel, officials said.
One of those tanks landed north of Baldwin Resort Road in Lake Huron and exploded, while the other landed in the Baldwin plaza parking lot.
No injuries were reported, but some cars were slightly damaged.
Both F-16s landed safety in Toledo, officials said.
Residents are asked to stay away from the area during the cleanup process.