CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Noor Kestou, a 31-year-old resident of Commerce Township, found himself in a situation of grave legal consequences after the tragic explosion of a building in Clinton Township. Kestou, the owner of the building that exploded, faced an arrest while in New York, on the cusp of departing for an international trip.
Instead of embarking on his planned journey, Kestou was promptly flown back to Michigan. There, he was arraigned on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, linked to the death of 19-year-old Turner Lee Salter. The young man lost his life when he was struck by a nitrous oxide canister hurled through the air as a result of the building explosion on March 4.
The building in question was reportedly a storage facility for vaping products owned by the company Goo. At the time of the explosion, approximately 100,000 vape pens were being kept in the building. Authorities disclosed that a delivery of butane canisters had been made to the property a mere week prior to the tragic incident.
According to the Clinton Township Building Department, Goo had obtained a township occupancy permit in September 2022 for the building, intending to utilize it as a retail space for a “smoke shop/vape store.” The store was supposed to offer vaping paraphernalia, catering to the needs of vaping businesses. The details surrounding the explosion and its aftermath are set to be discussed by the prosecutor’s office and city officials at an upcoming press conference.
The events leading up to the ordeal mark a series of unfortunate circumstances that culminated in a devastating outcome. The tragic loss of life and the legal ramifications faced by Kestou highlight the importance of adherence to safety regulations in the handling of volatile materials. The community affected by these events seeks answers and closure in the wake of such a calamitous incident.