EPA leads cleanup efforts at Detroit-area warehouse following explosions involving vaping supplies

The federal government is taking charge of the cleanup at a hazardous site in Clinton Township, Michigan, which was once home to a vape supplies storage facility. The site suffered explosions months ago, resulting in one fatality and extensive debris scatter over the surrounding area. The building was filled with vape pens, butane canisters, nitrous oxide cylinders, and lithium batteries, making the cleanup challenging and dangerous.

Sean Kane from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stated that while a significant amount of debris has been cleared, there is still more work to be done. The cleanup operation involves segregating hazardous materials and completely removing all remnants from the premises. The property, now in ruins with a collapsed roof and mounds of charred metal debris, will undergo intensive cleanup efforts post-Labor Day with increased personnel on site.

Authorities determined that the explosions were a result of improper storage of volatile materials. The property owner is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter following the death of a 19-year-old man struck by debris from the blasts a considerable distance away. The EPA took over the cleanup initiative due to stalled discussions with responsible parties, with an estimated cost exceeding $2 million.

The EPA’s involvement revealed a hidden stockpile of materials unbeknownst to local authorities, raising concerns about the lack of oversight. Despite financial constraints on the owner’s part, plans are in place to restore the property to its former state and prepare it for sale, according to Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon. Once the cleanup is completed, the aim is to transform the site into a safe and presentable area for the community to take pride in again.