Orion Township condo explosion update: Investigation could take weeks
18 units destroyed in Orion Township condo explosion
The condo, on Waldon between Joslyn and Baldwin Roads, was destroyed in the blast while other nearby homes were damaged. After the explosion, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 80s were missing. They were later located alive, but with critical injuries.
ORION TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - Orion Township authorities said 18 total units were destroyed in the violent explosion that leveled a condo and critically injured two people Tuesday evening.
Authorities spoke during a press conference at Wednesday afternoon to provide additional information on the condo explosion – which is believed to have been caused by a gas leak.
Orion Township supervisor Chris Barnett and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard were among those who spoke during the 4 p.m. press conference.
"The complete investigation we anticipate taking, a little over a week, to get even initial information. So I don't have a lot, when it comes to, what happened or where or the initial cause, at the current time, we are looking at having 18 units that are completely destroyed," Barnett said.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard encouraged people looking to help to go on the sheriff's website or social media to find legitimate charities. He later warned people of scammers looking to profit off the incident by faking charities, stating he saw it with numerous other tragedies, including the Oxford High School mass shooting and the Splashpad shooting.
The explosion leveled the Keatington New Town Condominiums around 6:30 Tuesday night. The sound was reportedly heard and felt for miles. Fire crews were on the scene of the incident until 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.
VIEW: Photos of explosion aftermath
"I was on the computer and there was a shockwave. The screen popped out at me and everything came off the walls," neighbor Scully Hirsack said. "I ran outside and saw that the corner unit was just gone."
1 Orion Township explosion victim remains in critical condition
A woman injured in Tuesday's condo explosion in Orion Township remains in critical condition, while the condition of a man who also suffered critical injuries has been upgraded. Authorities said he is now talking to investigators about what happened before a suspected gas leak led to the blast.
The condo, on Waldon between Joslyn and Baldwin Roads, was destroyed in the blast while other nearby homes were damaged. After the explosion, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 80s were missing. They were later located alive, but with critical injuries.
Both victims were initially listed with critical injuries. The man was upgraded and able to speak with investigators earlier in the day on Wednesday. The woman was upgraded to stable condition. Several others suffered minor injuries, too.
Thankfully, nobody died in the explosion.
"I think we are very fortunate to be able to walk away and have everyone accounted for, and to say we have as few in critical condition as we do," said Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen. "This could have been much worse. At this point in time, I think we are really fortunate we have as little as we have."
The aftermath of an explosion that leveled a condo in Orion Township
Consumers said it is still reviewing if the explosion was linked to a gas leak. During Wednesday's update, a spokesperson said the explosion was not due to natural gas issues in the building.
"Consumers Energy has a standard process for investigating gas explosions. As part of that process, we engage in testing of our facilities. We completed that testing and no issues were found. We will continue to participate in the investigation into the cause and origin of this event once private parties are contacted and schedule a scene examination."