CLINTON TWP (WWJ) -- Authorities say one person was killed during a massive warehouse fire and series of explosions in Clinton Township Monday night.
Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan confirmed that a 19-year-old man died after being hit by a projectile from the explosions, which began at around 9 p.m.
"You just want to hug the family and say sorry," Duncan said. "I can't even imagine what you're going through today."
According to a news release from the Clinton Township Police Department Tuesday morning, a bystander — now known to be that 19-year-old — was injured and taken to a local hospital.
WWJ's Jon Hewett reports the young man was 1/4 mile away from the scene of the explosions when he was hit in the head by a piece of flying canister.
A police vehicle and a fire vehicle were both damaged by exploding projectile canisters, according to police.
Duncan said one firefighter suffered what were described as minor injuries, and is recovering.
The chief said he feels extremely fortunate that no other firefighters were seriously hurt.
"In my 25 years, I've been on a few big fires; this by far was the biggest one that I've ever seen," Duncan added. "Just the funneling of the fire, the smoke going up. Like I said, luckily the weather was on our side. Had the wind been bad...we would have had multiple buildings that were on fire."
The series of explosions began around 9 p.m. March 4 at Select Distributions LLC. Groesbeck was closed between 14 Mile Rd. and Metro Parkway. Fifteen Mile Rd. was also closed. In a Facebook post Monday night, the Clinton Township Police Department warned people to stay out of the area due to debris being “shot into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion.”
The Clinton Township Police and Fire Departments requested assistance from local fire and police departments. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also contacted for assistance because the business “operated as a novelty supply company known to stock combustible materials,” the press release said.
One witness, Jim Anglin, told WWJ's Ryan Wrecker there were "thousands of explosions."
"It went on for about 45 minutes at least; nonstop explosions... It was the biggest fire I've ever seen," he said.
Fire and police crews remained on the scene clearing up the roadway and parking lots in the area of debris into the early morning hours Tuesday, though videos from Tuesday morning still showed debris in neighboring businesses.
Authorities earlier said debris found by the community from the explosion can be “recycled/disposed of at the location found.” Now, however, officials are warning residents, even those miles away, not to touch any debris that they may come across as it could be dangerous.
Officials are monitoring the air quality to ensure the public's safety. Macomb County Emergency Management Director Brandon Lewis said the monitoring is being done just as a precaution. "We don't have any information that would lead us to believe that there's any reason for concern," Lewis said.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the CTPD.
Anyone with further questions can contact the Clinton Township Police Department at 586-493-7800.
This is a developing news story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!