Thursday, February 28 2013 6:46 AM EST2013-02-28 11:46:46 GMT
A man was killed Wednesday when a home in Royal Oak exploded, shaking and damaging other homes in the neighborhood, officials said.
A man was killed Wednesday when a home in Royal Oak exploded, shaking and damaging other homes in the neighborhood, officials said.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) -
A deadly house explosion rocked Royal Oak and several surrounding communities Wednesday evening. We've learned a 58-year-old man was killed in the blast.
We talked to Royal Oak's fire chief, a 25-year veteran, who said this was the worst thing he has ever seen. He also said it is a miracle that no one else was killed.
"There was glass all over our house and all of our windows were broken," said Kate Sikora. "First thing we thought was that there was a gas explosion and that there was a fire, and we were all really terrified."
That terror turned into sadness and despair when everyone realized that the man who lived inside the home that exploded lost his life.
"Obviously our hearts go out to that victim's family," said Debra Dodd from Consumers Energy.
Plenty of people who live on Cooper Avenue near Nakota have told us that Consumers Energy crews have been working on the block for a couple of days.
"We did have a three person crew working in the area earlier today," Dodd said. "At this time, we do not know the cause. Everything is still under investigation."
"We have to just basically sift through evidence. We have to try to recover the gas meter if its not to heavily damaged and then test the pipe leading to the home," she added. "[There are] a lot of different steps, and it could take weeks or months to determine what actually happened."
This eruption in Royal Oak caused quite a fire, broke windows and damaged dozens of homes.
"It's about 30 to 35 homes that we believe are affected at this time," said Dodd.
"The house on either side [are] totally uninhabitable," said witness Garry Denton.
Businesses three blocks away are also damaged. Windows were blown out at Premiere Technology Exchange on Woodward Avenue between 13 and 14 Mile.
"The building shook, so I actually thought something hit the building like a semi truck," said Robert Campbell. "Debris fell from the ceiling here. We have a cracked window. The next door neighbors... have several windows broken out."
At USA Transmission a few doors down along Woodward, more windows were also blown out by the blast.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:29 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:29:51 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
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Water is sprayed on the blaze resulting from the house explosion. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
The explosion leveled the house on Cooper Avenue (Credit: Fox 2 News)
A closer look at the flames and the debris (Credit: Fox 2 News)
