Fire & explosion at Michigan factory near Detroit sends debris flying a mile away



A fire at an industrial site north of Detroit burned for hours on Monday (March 4), causing multiple explosions sending debris as far as a mile (1.6 km) away, police said as they urged people to stay clear of the area.

Eyewitness video showed bursts of flame and smoke billowing from the site in Michigan’s Clinton Township, about 25 miles (40 km) north of Detroit. The blasts echoed in the night as flaming debris appeared to stream into the sky.

“We cannot stress enough the danger,” the Clinton police said on Facebook. “Please, please, 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.”

It was not known what materials were burning, preventing officials from assessing risks to air quality, they added.

Neighbors said the explosions sounded like fireworks and shook the ground nearby, WDIV television news said.

The Detroit Free Press said hundreds of explosions were reported.

Media identified the site as a wholesaler building for a company that specializes in novelty products including vape and paraphernalia related to cannabis product CBD.

source