A quiet stretch of Rollaway Drive NE off 7 Mile Road in Plainfield Township turned into a disaster zone just before 4 a.m. yesterday, when a massive, fiery explosion leveled a home, killed a man and left a woman critically injured, deputies said. Neighbors pulled the woman from the rubble before firefighters arrived. The blast obliterated the house, destroyed a vehicle in the driveway, and left parts of the scene hot and unstable well into the afternoon as investigators tried to piece together what happened.
What deputies say happened
Deputies with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office now say they believe the blast was an intentional, domestic-related act, an apparent murder‑suicide attempt carried out by the woman’s husband. Investigators found a man inside the burned home after midday, and formal identification is still pending. Deputies praised neighbors who rushed in to help, saying that “without their actions, it's likely that she [the woman] would have perished in the fire.” These details were reported by MyFOX28.
Neighbors pulled the woman to safety
According to deputies, two neighbors — an adult and a teenage boy — scrambled into the burning wreckage and pulled the woman out. One of those rescuers was treated at the scene for hand injuries. Nearly 50 people called 911 after hearing or seeing the explosion, which scattered debris across the neighborhood and was felt miles away. Undersheriff Bryan Muir called the blast very loud and said crews initially had to stand back and wait for smoldering debris to cool before they could safely search what was left of the structure, KBTX reported.
Suspected gas leak and utility response
Deputies told investigators they believe natural gas was intentionally released into the basement ahead of the explosion, though what actually ignited it is still unknown. DTE Energy crews were called in to help secure the area and, as the company put it, “make the scene safe.” The utility reiterated that safety for its customers and surrounding communities is its top priority while authorities sort out the cause, according to reporting by MyFOX28.
Who is investigating
The investigation is being led by local fire departments, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and state partners, with federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisting at the scene. Crews said parts of the home were too hot to enter early in the day, which delayed a full on-site search. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with doorbell or dash-cam video from around the time of the blast to upload it to its evidence portal at kentcountyso.evidence.com.
How to stay safe
Officials say there is no known ongoing threat to the public while the investigation continues, but they are urging residents to remain alert and to share any footage that might help explain how the explosion unfolded. Anyone who smells natural gas or suspects a leak is advised by DTE to leave the area immediately, call 911, then contact the company’s gas emergency hotline at (800) 947‑5000. More detailed gas-safety guidance and tips on detecting and reporting leaks are available from DTE Energy.
