CASS COUNTY, Mich. – A deadly explosion on Monday afternoon left ‘Trak Oil’ in ruins, with cracked and collapsed walls and caution tape surrounding the building. Neighbors were left in shock by the tragic incident, with one neighbor, Erik Bidwell, recounting how his house down the road started shaking.
Bidwell described the explosion as incredibly loud, thinking it might have been a gunshot or even his own propane tank blowing up. The blast was so powerful that it knocked a light off the side of his house, causing items on his windowsill to fall to the floor.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department reported that 38-year-old Kevin Lawrence survived the blast and is expected to recover, but tragically, 71-year-old Charles Lawrence lost his life in the explosion.
Jeremiah Jones, the chairman of the board of commissioners for Cass County, expressed condolences and noted that such tragedies are not common in the area. The Michigan Department of Environment is currently investigating the environmental impact of the explosion and overseeing the cleanup efforts. Additionally, the Michigan State Police fire marshal is conducting an investigation into the cause of the blast.
The explosion has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting a thorough examination of safety protocols and potentially leading to new measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The loss of life and impact on the neighborhood serve as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to strict safety standards in any industrial operation. With investigations ongoing, the full scope of the incident and its ramifications are yet to be fully understood.