NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI – The tragic explosion at a home in Northfield Township, MI over the holiday weekend resulted in the deaths of four family members and left two others injured. The incident occurred on Saturday, Dec. 30th, and was determined to be a likely result of an undetermined fuel air explosion. The explosion took the lives of Hope Bragg, 51, her husband Don Bragg, 53, and their two children, Kenneth Bragg, 22, and Elizabeth Bragg, 19. Another child, 16-year-old Stephen Bragg, was injured but is currently in stable condition. The owner of the residence, 72-year-old Richard Pruden, is also in critical condition.
The explosion, which was heard miles away, occurred while the Bragg family from Arkansas was visiting Pruden’s home on Winters Lane. The preliminary investigation indicates that an undetermined fuel air explosion caused the damage, and foul play is not suspected at this time. Authorities are urging the public to stay clear of the area to allow investigators time to conduct the investigation.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with medical costs for Stephen and Richard, and a vigil in remembrance and support of the victims and their families is scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 3pm at the Whitmore Lake High School.
The names of the victims and their current medical conditions have been released, with Richard Pruden listed in critical condition and Stephen Bragg in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to come forward to assist authorities in their efforts.
The tragic event has deeply affected the Northfield Township community, and authorities are continuing to offer support to the families and friends of the victims. The investigation is expected to take time, as authorities work to piece together the details surrounding the explosion and its devastating impact.