What We Know About the Explosions Overnight in Michigan

Author Anne Erickson

March 5th 1:07 PM

Everyone is talking about the massive industrial fire and explosions that happened overnight in Michigan. The explosion took place Monday evening (March 4), as a distribution plant in Macomb County went up in flames. Here’s the latest on the explosions overnight in Michigan.

Where was the fire?

According to officials, the explosion happened at the Select Distributors plant. That’s located in the 19100 block of 15 Mile Road, by Groesbeck Highway, in Clinton Township. It wasn’t isolated to that area, though, as officials say people as far away as Mt. Clemens felt the impact. It looks like the exact building is an industrial plant that makes knickknacks, including cellphone equipment.

Firefighters are working on the explosions overnight in Michigan.

Police and firefighters worked at the scene all night. Police told people to, of course, stay away from the area. Clinton Township police stated around 10 p.m., “We can not stress enough the danger is happening right now. Please stay inside and out of the vicinity. Debris is being projected into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion. As we do not know what is burning, we do not know the effects of the smoke/air right now, so please stay out of the area and stay safe.” Officials say that four people were inside the building at the time, but they all left when they heard the cracking. Also, police and fire crews stated that this was one of the most challenging fires to put out in years. Also, they had to work into the early hours of Tuesday morning to put it out.

Sadly, there was a casualty.

At around 2 a.m. Tuesday (March 5), officials said two people had been injured. One was a firefighter, and the other was a bystander. They were taken to the hospital, and sadly, police later reported that the 19-year-old bystander passed away.

7 Severe Weather Safety Tips That May Save Your Life

• 1. Know the Difference Between an Advisory, Watch and Warning

  A weather advisory, watch and warning all need to be taken seriously. So, what do they mean? According to the National Weather Service, “a warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely.” A watch is where “the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain.” Finally, an advisory means, “hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely.”

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• 2. Stay Inside at All Costs

  During a severe thunderstorm, and any severe weather event, the best thing to do is stay inside and sheltered. “The best defense against thunderstorms is to stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes,” the National Weather Service says. Also, you don’t want to risk getting hit by lightning, like in the image below.

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• 3. Get Low and Protected

  During a tornado, get underground if possible. If you don’t have a basement, get to the lowest floor possible. Also, during a tornado, watch for flying and falling debris. The National Weather Service advises to “use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc. to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris.”

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• 4. Always Have an Emergency Kit

  Be prepared. Have a good emergency kit, both in your house and your car. For the car, “An emergency kit should include booster cables, shovel, tow rope, sand or cat litter, and a flashlight with extra batteries,” the National Weather Service says. “Do not forget a first aid kit, non-perishable food, and blankets or sleeping bags.”

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• 5. Stay Gassed Up

  This one my mom and dad always tell me to do. And, they’re right. “Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel line,” the National Weather Service advises.

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• 6. Be Prepared for Heat, Too

  Heat can make for a severe weather event, too. So, dress appropriately when it gets really hot. “Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures,” the National Weather Service says. They add to guzzle lots of “water or non-alcoholic fluids.”

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• 7. Don't Stick Around

  Sometimes, you just have to leave ahead of the storm to be safe. In the case of a hurricane, the National Weather Service says to “leave immediately if ordered.” They also say that if you are allowed to stay, to “take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can,” and “stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors.”

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Author Anne Erickson

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• Anne Erickson