CASS COUNTY, Mich. – The aftermath of an explosion at ‘Trak Oil’ on Monday afternoon has left the building with cracked and collapsed walls, surrounded by caution tape. The incident has left neighbors in shock, with one resident reporting that the explosion was so intense that it shook his house. The blast was described as being so loud that it was initially mistaken for a gunshot, and the force of it caused windows to rattle.
Erik Bidwell, a neighbor, described the moment of the explosion, stating, “Something exploded, I didn’t know if it was a gunshot, it was so loud, I couldn’t figure out what happened, I thought my propane tank blew up, the windows rattled, and came outside, there was this big ball of flame I came outside, there was this big ball of flame, like a mushroom cloud in the sky.” He also mentioned that the blast was so powerful that it knocked a light off the side of his house.
Tragically, the explosion resulted in the death of 71-year-old Charles Lawrence, while his 38-year-old son, Kevin Lawrence, survived and is expected to recover. The chairman of the board of commissioners for Cass County, Jeremiah Jones, expressed his condolences to the family, highlighting the unusual nature of such tragedies in the area.
The Michigan Department of Environment is currently conducting an investigation into the environmental impact of the explosion, as well as overseeing the cleanup efforts. Additionally, the Michigan State Police fire marshal is also investigating the cause of the explosion, adding another layer of scrutiny to the incident.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on understanding the causes of the explosion and providing support to the affected families. The impact of the blast goes beyond the physical damage, highlighting the need for thorough investigations and support for those involved.