Devendra Kumar
A devastating fire that destroyed a building housing suppliers for the vaping industry in Detroit killed one person and injured a firefighter, sending debris flying over a mile away. The explosions, which rocked the neighborhood, were heard as far as eight miles away. The blaze began around 8:50 pm on Monday and was contained by late Monday evening. According to Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan, the building, which was owned by Goo, housed over 100,000 vape pens and a large stockpile of butane canisters.
A 19-year-old man was killed after being struck by one of the canisters, which had fallen from the sky. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but authorities believe it started on the first floor of the building. The building, which was operating as a retail location for a “smoke shop/vape store,” had received a township occupancy permit in September 2022. However, the company had applied for zoning approval to use the building for warehousing and distribution, but was denied due to local zoning laws only allowing for retail use.
The explosions sent debris flying over a mile away, with some residents as far as eight miles away describing the sound as “continuous and intense.” A firefighter was also injured when a canister struck the windshield of a fire truck, but has since been treated and released from the hospital. Clinton Township officials are urging people to stay inside and are conducting an investigation into the legality of what was stored in the building. The fire chief stated that investigators will be looking into the legality of the materials stored in the building, which were not authorized by local zoning laws.
The fire has left a trail of destruction, with white smoke and an orange glow still visible above the remnants of the building on Tuesday morning. One resident described the scene, saying, “There was nothing but fireballs. I was concerned about getting my kids out of the house.” The neighborhood is still reeling from the shock of the explosions, and residents are left to wonder how such a devastating fire could occur. As the investigation continues, officials will be looking into the cause of the fire and the legality of the materials stored in the building.