An F-16 fighter jet from the Ohio Air National Guard executed an emergency procedure over Michigan yesterday, releasing two external fuel tanks mid-flight, with one resulting in an explosion upon impact with Lake Huron. The incident provoked responses from several law enforcement and emergency services, including the Iosco County Sheriff's Office, who reported to the scene after hearing of the explosion at approximately 1:15 p.m. near Baldwin Resort Road, as detailed by CBS News Detroit.

The jet, identified as belonging to Toledo's 180th Fighter Squadron, was one of two aircraft conducting operations in the area. One of the jets was forced to scrap the fuel tanks rapidly due to an unspecific emergency. "One landed in Lake Huron north of Baldwin Resort Road and exploded," while "the other landed in the Baldwin Plaza retail parking lot," according to the officials cited in The Detroit News. The second tank, which landed in a commercial area comprising a Tractor Supply and Save-a-Lot, caused minor damages to several vehicles, but no injuries were reported.

The incident set off a water rescue alert initially, with the Iosco County Sheriff's Office mobilizing rescue teams under the impression of a potential aircraft or pilot down in the water. However, the emergency did not involve any ejection, and both F-16 pilots managed to return safely to the base in Toledo. The U.S. Coast Guard subsequently recovered fragments of the exploded tank from Lake Huron, as per CBS News Detroit.

Clean-up operations are already in progress, with additional Air National Guard units dispatched to assist with containment. The sheriff's office continues to urge the public to avoid the area while clean-up efforts are ongoing. Meanwhile, local businesses in Baldwin Plaza appear to have resumed normal operations. Despite the startling event, the quick response from law enforcement and military units has allowed them to swiftly address the incident's hazards. No casualties or significant property damage have been reported as a result of the emergency drops, underscoring the swift measures taken during the unforeseen crisis, as documented in coverage from WWJ Newsradio 950.