May 10th, 2024
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
On March 4th, calls poured into the emergency service line regarding a Michigan warehouse on fire in Clinton Township. Hundreds of explosions could be heard from miles away from the Select Distributors warehouse. Debris flew into the air and fell as far as 2 miles away. Authorities urged residents to steer clear of the area and remain indoors until the fire was under control. Rescuers were unsure what materials were burning at the time but were getting struck by flying canisters. This made it a challenge for officials to get close to the fire to put it out. 
Unfortunately, a 19-year-old man passed away due to a container hitting him from a quarter mile away at a car wash. Another injury occurred to a firefighter, who was treated at the hospital. The warehouse sold many combustible items. Some contained products such as cell phones/batteries, butane, cigarettes, vape pens, and accessories related to CBD, a cannabis-derived product. On Tuesday evening, authorities were focused on the butane and nitrous oxide canisters they had at the warehouse, which were reportedly stored illegally. Many businesses and buildings received damage with holes from canisters that were only 12 inches long. Law enforcement is looking into the cause of the fire and working with Select Distributors. 
Risk Logic Inc. can help you determine your protection needs at your warehouse. Our engineers have extensive experience analyzing potential hazards and will recommend the best protection for your facility. We can provide more information and conduct a property loss prevention inspection of your building. Please contact Risk Logic Inc. for more details. 
