The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a cleanup operation at the site of a Clinton Township warehouse, following a destructive explosion back in March that was caused by improper storage of hazardous vaping materials. The former Goo Smoke Shop and Select Distributors warehouse was packed with flammable substances including butane canisters and nitrous oxide cylinders as well as lithium-ion batteries and vape pens, as AP News reported.
Official estimates suggest the cleanup may take over three months and tally up to a cost of about $2.5 million; this phase is dedicated to separating and disposing of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, when an ignition source is introduced, the combination of an oxidizer like nitrous oxide and a flammable substance like ultra-refined butane could pose significant fire hazards, as detailed by FOX 2 Detroit, the implications of the volatile materials storage were tragically highlighted by the death of Turner Lee Salter, a 19-year-old killed by a flying nitrous oxide canister and injuries sustained by firefighter Matt Myers.
Sean Kane, EPA Region 5 Emergency Response branch on-scene coordinator, has been leading the response team, and during an initial stage that began after the immediate incident, the EPA managed to collect thousands of compressed gas cylinders and remove various other volatile substances, according to information shared by AP News. However, as the site's cleanup intensifies, Kane stressed the unpredictability of the task at hand, stating, "We don’t know what we’re going to find in there," but reassured that efforts would focus on the full removal of all hazardous materials.
The fallout from the disaster has highlighted numerous issues regarding safety and oversight; for instance, the last inspection of the building by Clinton Township Fire Department found no issues in May 2022 before the vape supply business opened, though the recent events have prompted discussions about allowing inspections of businesses' back rooms without prior notice, "There has to be some kind of change. There has to be some kind of a middle ground where we can, if suspicious about something, go in the back room and see what's there," Township Supervisor Bob Cannon informed The Detroit News, as Noor Kestou the owner of the warehouse was arrested on charges related to the incident after evidence pointed to illegal storage of the substances, which caused the explosions.
The EPA's aim is to remove all signs of the incident, leaving the property "pristine" for future sale, a sentiment echoed by Cannon who looks forward to having the site be part of the community once again. Air quality monitoring for harmful emissions is also ongoing in the densely populated area, ensuring safety beyond the immediate site cleanup.
