ANN ARBOR, MI – A house in Ann Arbor was destroyed in an explosion on Monday morning, though fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The Ann Arbor Fire Department received the call and quickly responded to the scene on South Seventh Street, finding the house leveled by the explosion and engulfed in flames.
According to Chief Mike Kennedy, a man who was believed to be living alone in the house was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He mentioned that the explosion may have been caused by the use of propane to heat the house, although the fire department strongly advises against this method of heating.
DTE Energy confirmed that gas service to the house had been previously shut off, but the specific reason was not known at the time. Meanwhile, neighbors reported hearing a loud boom around the time of the explosion, and the fire department continued to work on the scene for over two hours, making plans to bring in an excavator to start the cleanup process.
In addition to the damaged house, another nearby home was also affected, with three university students inside at the time. As a result of the incident, Chief Kennedy expected that Seventh Street would remain closed for a significant portion of the day. The Ann Arbor Police Department also provided assistance at the scene.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of using propane to heat homes, and highlights the importance of following safety precautions and guidelines in the use of such heating methods. While the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation, the community is grateful that there were no fatalities and is working together to ensure the safety of others in the area.