No injuries reported after oil tank explodes at GM Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan
MILFORD, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Authorities responded to a large explosion at the General Motors Proving Grounds on Tuesday in Milford.
The facility sits between Oakland and Livingston counties, with parts of the building located in Brighton Township. No injuries were reported. Officials say no one was on-site at the time of the explosion.
Brighton Area Fire Chief Michael O'Brian says crews received a call around 6:49 a.m. to the facility where they drill natural gas along the edge of Pleasant Valley Road near Birchcrest Drive.
O'Brian says one tank exploded, damaging two adjacent tanks and wells on site. Two homes located nearly 100 feet away were also damaged.
It was an explosion fire officials say could be felt as far as 5 miles away.
"Crews, as they got closer, could see the flames and the smoke. They determined it was here on what is considered a leased piece of property and it's a natural gas processing area, so they pull natural gas out of the ground. Really, what we were seeing from the explosion was one of the associated tanks that is part of the process, so it's filled with a combustible liquid and some brine solution, and that tank blew up," said O'Brian.
One family member told CBS News Detroit the intensity of the explosion blew in windows and a door and ruined drywall at her parents' home.
Another resident nearby says she was jolted from her sleep after hearing the blast outside her front door.
"It was just a huge boom, it shook our whole house, it shook us…like we have picture frames off the wall. At first, I was like…did a bomb just drop," said Miranda Gohrmann.
Gohrmann's security cameras captured the moment the blast lit up the sky.
"We thought that our house was on fire because the whole sky was orange, and it was crazy," Gohrmann said.
Fire crews have remained on the scene throughout the day. O'Brian says there are no fire hydrants in the area, so fire trucks from multiple agencies have been lined up along the road to rotate water to cool other tanks on site.
Authorities are still investigating what caused the explosion. CBS News Detroit also learned a hazmat team and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have been on site to monitor the situation.
"Anytime we have a combustible liquid fire like this, we always have to be concerned about where that product goes. So, most of it is being contained in some of the pits, some has gotten outside of, so they'll continue to monitor it. They're working to get an analysis of what the product is," O'Brian said.
CBS News Detroit contacted EGLE. A spokesperson says the agency plans to follow up on the cause and investigate any environmental impacts.
General Motors released the following statement on the explosion:
"We are aware of an incident at the Milford Proving Ground involving one of the oil wells located on GM property. Thankfully, no one was injured, and no facilities were damaged. GM fire crews are on the scene and have the incident under control. Local fire departments are standing by if needed. We will continue to monitor the situation."
