ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Investigators said they are looking into the propane installation process as a likely cause of the house explosion that left two people dead in Orion Township.
Bruce Dominguez, 65, and Kathy Dominguez, 57, were found dead overnight after their house exploded Wednesday night, officials said. Their daughter, Kym Dominguez, 29, was also home, but she escaped the house before the explosion with help from a "heroic neighbor," firefighters said.
Oakland County investigators examined the debris, including how far it scattered and what condition it's in, for clues to what caused the explosion at a home with no open gas line.
The home exploded at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, leaving a dangerous and stressful battle for firefighters. Crews said there were flames shooting 50 feet into the air when they responded to the house.
The couple's daughter said her parents told her to get out, so she was able to run safely from the building.
"When we got here, it was chaos, obviously," Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett said. "Managed chaos. But we are doing the best we can. I know that the one person who was able to get out is (their) daughter. She was able to get out before the home exploded."
Barnett said the house was completely destroyed.
"You can barely tell there was a house there," Barnett said. "It's basically completely leveled. There's debris that's been strewn all about."
Barnett said while there were no fire hydrants in the area, that's something crews are used to since most residents are on wells. But there was no chance for firefighters to save the house.
"The house was completely engulfed," Barnett said. "Fifty-foot flames when I arrived 15 minutes after the call, so there's not a lot they could do."
He said they worked hard to get the people out of the home, but that the house was "a complete fireball."
Daylight Thursday morning revealed a better look at the aftermath. Investigators are trying to figure out what would have caused something like this if it was not natural gas-related.
"They don't have natural gas here. They've got a propane tank," said Orion Township Fire Chief Bob Smith. "The propane tank, when we went to shut it off, it was already off. So right now it's a real mystery of what's going on."
Barnett said foul play has been ruled out.
"It looks like it was just a horrific accident," Barnett said.
Thursday evening, the community stepped up to help the three Dominguez daughters. Two who are Air Force members are flying back to a home that no longer exists.
Barnett said community members have come up with a home for the girls to stay in, a vehicle they can use and practical items such as glasses and a cellphone.
"This is the reason I love our town; Orion Township is like no other," Barnett said.
Man who rushed into exploded home: 'I couldn't get to him'
The man who rushed into the exploded home spoke with Local 4's Shawn Ley about what happened.
You can listen to his remarks in the video posted below.
The township set up a GoFundMe page for the family and King of Kings Lutheran Church on Lapeer Road is accepting cash and checks for the family.