CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The owner of a Clinton Township business that caught fire and saw several explosions, killing a teenager with flying debris, will be in back in court in June.
The fiery explosion happened on March 4, 2024, in the area of 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway. Thousands of containers of combustible gas that were stored in the building caused continuous explosions. The debris field stretched at least a half-mile in every direction, according to officials.
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A 19-year-old from Clinton Township was struck in the head by flying debris and died from his injuries.
Find full coverage of the Clinton Township explosion here.
While Clinton Township police and fire crews were investigating the cause of the fire, they learned that the owner and operator of the building, Noor Noel Kestou, had purchased a one-way plane ticket to Hong Kong. Kestou, 31, was set to depart from the JFK International Airport in New York.
An arrest warrant for Kestou was authorized. He was arrested at the airport. Clinton Township detectives flew to New York and took him into custody on April 24.
The business owner—believed to be the only owner of the Clinton Township business—was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony.
Kestou initially appeared in front of Judge Sebastian Lucido for his preliminary examination on May 22. The hearing adjourned and was initially expected to continue on May 28.
On May 28, the court adjourned and rescheduled the hearing for June 18.
On Thursday, when the preliminary hearing began, prosecutors called four people to testify.
An employee testified about “weird incidents” leading up to the incident, including strange behavior of the building’s heating system that night. He said he was inside the building when it started.