WESTLAND, Mich. – A big explosion rattled residents after a vacant home blew apart in Westland.
The potential explosion, which occurred on Monday (May 5) in the 31000 block of Calhoun Court and Grand Traverse Street, had the neighbors shaking.
“We were at home, watching TV, having some dinner, and then all of a sudden, we hear this big explosion,” said Kellee Andersen, who lives right next door to the explosion.
The rumbling sent James Braye running to see what was going on, too.
“The front wall was blown out. The entire side was blown out onto the neighbor’s yard, and some small fire,” said Braye.
Firefighters quickly put it out and turned their attention to ensuring no one was inside.
“When we get here and are told it’s vacant, obviously, we take that with a grain of salt – we have to go inside,” said Westland Fire Battalion Chief Brian James.
Fire investigators waited for crews to stabilize the home enough so they could get in to double-check.
Fire officials believed it was a gas explosion, but the official investigation continues.
They’re reminding everyone of the preventative steps everyone should take to ensure their home is safe.
“Yearly checks of anything gas-related, water heater, stoves, and furnace. If you smell anything, call the gas company right away. This goes along with electricity,” said James.
As for Andersen, she says she’s “Very thankful that no one was hurt, very thankful there wasn’t any damage to our house, and that were all okay.”
