Fire crews respond to house explosion on Detroit's west side, no injuries reported
Detroit fire crews are responding to a house explosion on the city's northwest side.
The explosion happened at around 1:40 p.m. Thursday at a house in the 19400 block of Forrer Street near the intersection of Greenfield Road and Seven Mile Road.
Detroit Fire Department officials said the home was unoccupied at the time of the explosion and that no injuries have been reported. Authorities believe that the home had been vacant for several years.
DTE crews are on the scene and working to determine the cause of the explosion. Fire department officials said a neighbor complained about the sound of gas leaking.
"DTE Gas was on site at the home on Forrer St. in Detroit this morning to start natural gas service. An initial investigation at the scene has confirmed that all DTE equipment was in proper, safe working order. We're continuing to work with local authorities to investigate the cause of the incident," said DTE in a statement.
Chopper video shows that the home was destroyed, and debris was spread throughout the neighborhood.
CBS News Detroit has a crew on scene.
"I was upstairs in my house three blocks away and heard a big boom, and the dogs started barking. And we went to go look and we didn't see nothing," said Keyera Pettaway.
Neighbors say they were relieved after no one was injured. They said the empty home was preparing to be rented.
DTE confirmed to CBS News Detroit that a crew was at the site earlier in the day to start a natural gas service.
"This (the explosion) was less than two hours later after somebody was here. Two hours later and then it blows up," said Andre Thomas, whose vehicle was damaged in the explosion.
This is a developing story. CBS News Detroit will update when more information is available.