Utility crews find gas main rupture near Royal Oak house explosion

Consumers Energy crews investigate area near Royal Oak house explosion that killed 58-year-old Daniel Malczynski

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Consumers Energy crews which are investigating the cause of a Wednesday evening house explosion in Royal Oak have found a gas main rupture in the area.

Utility workers found the rupture near the explosion site on Cooper Avenue. It's not clear if the rupture may be to blame for the explosion that killed a 58-year-old Daniel Malczynski.

Consumers Energy says its crews had been working several days to replace a natural gas main on the street where Wednesday's blast happened.

Authorities haven't said if that's related to the blast.

The CMS Energy Corp. subsidiary says it's working with police, fire and state officials on an investigation.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson says the agency is collecting information about the explosion.

Read back: Royal Oak blast kills man, damages neighborhood

The explosion destroyed Malczynski's home and caused serious damage to surrounding houses.

Burning and smoking wood planks were scattered nearby as firefighters rushed to put out the flames

Luckily, no one else was injured.

Royal Oak Fire Chief Chuck Thomas said the homes in the immediate area are being checked for structural damage. He didn't give an exact time on when people would be allowed back into their homes.

Nearby businesses also felt the blast which shattered many windows. Calls from miles away were made to 911 from people who felt or heard the boom.

Consumers, a subsidiary of Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp., said the investigation could take months.

An autopsy is scheduled Friday for Malczynski.

Special Coverage: Royal Oak Explosion


Photo courtesy Jim Charbonneau