DETROIT – An investigation is underway after a house exploded on the city’s west side on Thursday afternoon.
Crews responded to the 19400 block of Forrer Street at about 1:40 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, after receiving a report about a house explosion.
Update: Detroit Fire Department: Gas leak inside vacant home caused explosion on city’s west side
No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Officials were told that the house has been vacant for about two years, according to Detroit Fire Chief Reginald Harper. DTE Energy crews are also at the scene investigating.
DTE Energy released the following statement:
“DTE Gas was on site at the home on Forrer St. in Detroit this morning to start natural gas service. An initial investigation at the scene has confirmed that all DTE equipment was in proper, safe working order. We’re continuing to work with local authorities to investigate the cause of the incident.
Safety is DTE’s top priority. As always, we encourage anyone who smells or suspects a natural gas leak to call 9-1-1 and then DTE’s leak hotline at 800-947-5000. DTE will help determine if a leak is present, identify the corrective action for the owner to take, and if necessary, shut off service as a safety precaution. Learn more at dteenergy.com/gassafety."
DTE Energy
A neighbor who was in the area when the house exploded told Local 4 that he and another neighbor smelled gas and then heard the explosion just a few minutes later.
They were talking to each other in the driveway next to the house when they smelled the gas.
“We both smelled gas,” the neighbor said. “We noticed that the meter was ticking. He said he was cold because he didn’t have his jacket on. He went in, and I came across the street. I sat in my other vehicle. Three minutes later, it blew up.”