Emergency crews rushed to the scene of an explosion at the General Motors proving grounds in Milford on Tuesday morning after a storage tank containing an oil and brine solution violently burst into flames. FOX 2 Detroit captured footage of firefighters extinguishing the blaze with foam, while General Motors confirmed in a statement that, "no one was injured, and no facilities were damaged," and that "GM fire crews are on the scene and have the incident under control."
According to information obtained by the Detroit Free Press, the explosion occurred just before 7 a.m. and resulted in damaging of two nearby homes, although the residents inside were unharmed. Brighton Fire Authority Chief Michael O'Brian shared that crews had the blaze under control within about an hour and were preparing to investigate the cause of the explosion, noting that the oil wells and tanks are leased to a third party and are not operated by General Motors.
The response included approximately two dozen fire trucks from multiple departments, as highlighted by the ClickOnDetroit report. The lack of fire hydrants in the vicinity necessitated the use of tanker trucks to supply the water needed to combat the fire.
Hazmat crews were also present on the site, indicating the potential risks associated with the volatile substances involved. Kevin Kelly, a spokesman for GM, assured in an email to Detroit Free Press, "Thankfully, no one was injured, and no facilities were damaged." He added, "We will continue to monitor the situation." The blast was felt miles away, highlighting the immense power of the explosion and raising concern within the local community.
Nearby roads were closed and fire department activity continued as crews worked to control lingering natural gas fires in the area. The response involved both local and state authorities, with Michigan State Police deploying troopers to assist with the explosion and fire. Investigations are ongoing, with the fire marshal working alongside the well owner to determine the cause of the blast.
