UPDATED: Condo Explosion in Orion Township Has No Fatalities
PREVIOUS TITLE: First Responders on Scene of Potential Gas Explosion on Waldon in Orion Twp ONGOING UPDATES
(Crystal A. Proxmire, images and video Shawn Stevens, Nov. 19, 2024)
Orion Township, MI – Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to avoid the area of Waldon between Joslyn and Baldwin Road following an explosion and fire at a condominium complex. An explosion around 6:30pm was felt for miles.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office shared on social media “On Waldon between Joslyn and Baldwin Road there has been an explosion. We urge people to stay away from the area as we determine what occurred and work with the fire department. Potentially it was a gas explosion.”
Multiple fire departments have responded to the area to fight the blaze. It us unknown at this time if there are injuries or fatalities. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen gave an update around 9pm stating that two people were taken to the hospital with critical injuries and a couple more with minor injuries.
He reported that one building had exploded, one additional building suffered major damage, and 2-3 others had minor damage.
He said that DTE and Consumers were on the scene to check for gas and electrical safety before crews could access the main building to do a search. The fires were mainly out, but crews were working on spot fires.
Those displaced by the damage and those who cannot reach their homes due to emergency workers on the scene are able to stay at Woodside Church.
Chief Allen said that other departments have been helping, including Oxford, Independence Township, Oakland Township, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, and Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
While the cause has not officially been determined, it still appears to have been a gas leak.
UPDATE (Wednesday):
Orion Township Fire Department and the
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office confirms there were no fatalities following yesterday’s
tragic explosion at Keatington New Town Association. However, numerous residents were
affected and displaced from their homes after last night’s event. The Township advises all
affected residents to use the following resources to seek aid or information, or to help
those impacted:
FOR THOSE DISPLACED OR IN NEED
Any victims in need of immediate support, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-
RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). You can also call the Township at 248-391-0304 ext. 2009.
DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Cash donations can be made through Love INC of North Oakland County by phone at 248-
693-4357 or online at https://loveincofnoc.org/.
All clothing and food donations can be dropped off at Woodside Bible Church, located in
Canterbury Village at 2500 Joslyn Road. Residents in need of food may use Woodside’s
Village Food Pantry, also located in Canterbury Village at (2325 Joslyn Court); their phone
number is 248-391-1900.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Orion Township will host a press conference at 4 p.m. today to provide additional
information. All are invited to attend in-person or virtually at Township Hall: 2323 Joslyn Rd,
Lake Orion, MI 48360.
Drone footage courtesy Shawn Stevens.
