Fire crews determine cause of apartment explosion on Detroit’s west side

DETROIT – The Detroit Fire Department has determined that a gas leak was the cause of an apartment explosion on Monday morning.

It happened at about 4 a.m., March 31, on Littlefield Street, near Schoolcraft Road, sending emergency notifications to most Metro Detroit residents.

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Residents packed what little they could following the explosion, and vehicles have been towed. The apartment building was partially demolished just hours after the explosion.

On Tuesday, April 1, the Detroit Fire Investigation Division announced that the cause was a gas leak that originated on the first floor.

At least 13 people were injured in the explosion and were taken to the hospital to be treated. Officials said two adults at Detroit Receiving Hospital remain in critical condition and a 3-year-old girl is receiving burn care at Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

The cause of the gas leak remains under investigation.