(WWJ) Emergency crews responded Sunday, the Fourth of July, to a deadly condominium explosion and two-alarm fire in Warren.
Warren Mayor Jim Fouts told WWJ's Zach Clark that a large condo exploded at around 6:30 p.m. on Joyce Drive in the Villa Pointe complex. That's between Schoenherr and Bunert roads, north of I-696.
One person was confirmed dead at the scene, Fouts said.
The mayor said that, along with the unit that was completely destroyed, four additional condos and homes were damaged in the fire.
The victim, said to be a man in his 40s, was reportedly found in the basement of the home that blew up. His name has not been released.
Fouts said power was knocked out to some neighboring residents.
Warren residents took to social media to report heavy smoke and flying debris. Others said they heard and felt a loud blast that some mistook for fireworks.
Lauren Torrey wrote on Facebook: "I am off of Martin a couple streets over from the blast. Our neighbor's garage window broke from the explosion. We thought a car hit our house it was so loud. Debris is falling from the sky. So sad."
Peyton Nicole commented: "Felt this explosion in my chest from blocks away... I hope nobody was hurt."
D Miles Norris replied: "Hate to say it but I doubt if anyone was in the home they made it out. There was pieces of the roof well over the tree tops sailing they the air. It almost looked like a flock of birds at first but it was roof boards and shingles."
There was speculation about a gas leak, but it's too soon for authorities to determine what may have caused the explosion.
Fire crews and investigators remained on the scene into the evening hours.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest developments.
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