ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Crews are responding to a suspected gas explosion and fire in Orion Township that left two critically injured.
The apparent explosion, which left two people in critical condition, occurred on Tuesday (Nov. 19) around 6:30 p.m. on Waldon Road between Joslyn Road and Baldwin Road.
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett joined Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen for the second update of the night where they said they’re working with Consumers Energy.
“We’re working with Consumers Energy in order to control a gas-fed fire that is on one side of the building. I know that there’s been some footage taken of it.
They’re having to excavate into the ground in order to access it. Unfortunately, it’s just one of those unusual situations that’s difficult to get to. So we’re working with them in order to make the scene safe. We’re providing a water suppression so their crews can work, and they’ll be able to get that under control. From what we can tell, we’ve put drones in the air in order to be able to tell that we have very minimal fire throughout the rest of the building.
Our plan right now is that once the fire is out, the fire crews will make sure that the fire has completely been extinguished. We’re working with the Oakland County Technical Rescue team in order to be able to fly drones through the structure, in order to be able to do a primary search and survey for victims.”
Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen
Officials hope to use drone footage to get a good look inside the building. Then, they’ll be able to work with the Technical Rescue Team to put people inside to verify that somebody or nobody is in the building.
There is the possibility of a fatality, but Allen says they’re working under the presumption that somebody could be trapped in the structure.
“We are actually working under the presumption that somebody could be trapped in the structure. When we see gas explosions like this, sometimes we see where that building is collapsing in on itself, and we have someone who is trapped in a pocket or something like that.
So, without being able to make contact with those people, that’s the presumption that we’re taking at the moment. So, It’s still a rescue here and not a recovery. We’re not calling them fatalities. We’re calling them missing people because there is still a possibility that either they’ve exited the building, weren’t in the building in the first place, or that we’ll find them when we make entry with people later on tonight.”
Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen
The two people who were unaccounted for were accounted for as of 10:15 p.m., as they were not inside the building.
“It’s incredible teamwork. Our people are the best in the business. And to see the community already coming out, and multiple churches have opened their doors to take in people that are being displaced.
We hate when these things happen, but this is what our our team trains for. We’ve had a similar experience like this a few years ago. So, we’re prepared to handle this situation, and we’re so grateful for the support of our surrounding community departments and the already outpouring of support from the greater community looking to help these people.
I just talked to the pastor at Woodside, Since that point, I just talked to the pastor Woodside, there’s no no one there at this time, so people were able to get relatives and friends and family to pick them up, but they’re still there if need be, and we’re here to help people if they need it so much, you’re welcome.
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett
According to initial reports, Allen said the explosion was due to a gas leak. Nothing has been confirmed, but that is the initial indication of the matter.
“We have transport transported two people with critical injuries to the hospitals, as of right now, a couple with minor injuries,” said Allen. “We do have relocation and displacement set up at the Woodside Church in Orion Township.”
Crews are working with DTE and Consumers Energy to get the gas leak controlled at this time.
Allen said they were putting out spotfires and would relay additional information around 9:15 p.m.
“But as of right now, we’ve not been able to search a building that has exploded because it’s been deemed unsafe, and we had to get the gas leak under control first,” Allen said.
Officials say one building exploded, causing significant damage to another and what looked like minor damage to two or three other buildings.
In regards to the two people who were critically injured, Allen said he does not know where they were found as during an incident like this, crews picked them up rapidly and transported them to a nearby hospital.
Crews on scene are Oxford Township, Independence Township, Orion Township, Oakland Township, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
Residents have been advised to stay inside their homes while officials work out the scene.
“So if we have hoses across the roadway, so if the roadways blocked by hoses, we’ve asked them to stay where they are,” Allen said. “The buildings around have been checked and are being deemed safe right now. Any building that’s been questionable, we’ve moved the people, and we’ve been able to provide a bussing from this area to the relocation point. So we have been able to take care of everybody so far.”
“Earlier this evening we were notified of the explosion in Orion Township and sent crews to the scene immediately. As first responders are still actively battling the fire, we do not have additional information about the cause of the explosion or about the status of anyone in the building. Our crews are on site and will move ahead with their work once first responders have deemed it safe to do so. We are committed to the safety of residents and the community and will continue working closely with public safety officials.”
Consumers Energy
A photo taken from the scene shows smoke and fire in the area. A viewer’s video shows a raging fire at the scene.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said his office and multiple fire departments are responding to the scene.
Bouchard says it’s a possible gas explosion.
On Waldon between Joslyn and Baldwin Road there has been an explosion. We urge people to stay away from the area as we determine what occurred and work with the fire department. Potentially it is a gas explosion.
— Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (@oaklandsheriff) November 19, 2024
Fire chief Ryan Allen and Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett give an update on the Orion Township explosion
Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen talks about the suspected gas explosion that left 2 critically injured
