MI Firefighters Face Mobile Home Fire Following Explosions

CEDAR SPRINGS, MI — A 50-year-old Cedar Springs area man was severely injured after explosions and a fire erupted at a mobile home.

Kent County sheriff’s deputies said they think the explosions were related to the possible rupture of several butane tanks in a car port attached to the home.

Firefighters responded about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 4 to the White Creek Country Estates, near White Creek Avenue NE and Egner Street, for the fire on Hemlock Street. The area is about three miles north of Cedar Springs.

Witnesses told police the man was underneath the car port when the explosions started. Several neighbors rushed to his aid and pulled him out from the car port.

Police said he had severe burns and severe injuries to his hands. He was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital.

“We don’t know what caused the tanks to explode. It’s still a very fresh investigation,” Kent County sheriff’s Sgt. Joy Matthews said.

The injured man’s mother was inside of the home but was not injured. She was able to evacuate the house.

Matthews credited neighbors for stepping in to help the man.

“One thing we are thankful for is the heroism for what the neighbors displayed. We’re very thankful,” he said.

Police and firefighters evacuated some homes surrounding the damaged mobile home immediately after the explosions and fire.

The blasts caused damage to some surrounding homes.

Jane Salo, who lives close to the home, said the concussion knocked pictures off her walls and also a gun hanging on a wall.

“We could see the flashes,” she said. “It busted all of our windows on one side.”

Salo said the explosions went on for a few minutes.

“We don’t know what the explosions were, but things were just flying in the air,” she said.

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