MILFORD, MICHIGAN – A loud explosion and subsequent fire rocked General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground on the morning of November 26. The explosion originated from the facility’s natural gas processing unit, which contained a combustible liquid and oil. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, but the fire did cause damage to two nearby homes within a 100-foot radius.
At approximately 6:49 am, a massive fire ignited in a leased area of the proving ground due to a catastrophic failure of a tank storing an oil and brine solution. The tank, belonging to White Rock Oil & Gas and in the process of being transferred to T2 Operating Corp, was the source of the explosion.
Multiple fire departments, including Brighton, Milford, Highland Township, Lyon Township, and Howell, responded to the scene. Due to the lack of hydrants in the area, tanker trucks were deployed to supply water. While the fire was brought under control within an hour, smaller fires continued to burn due to the release of natural gas.
Brighton Fire Authority Chief Micheal O’Brien stated that the explosion was felt as far as five miles away. Despite the close proximity of the explosion to residential areas and a school bus stop, no injuries were reported. Fire crews quickly cooled down adjacent tankers to prevent further damage and monitored the site for ongoing fires and air quality.
Following the incident, GM released a statement indicating that they are assessing the source of the fire. Environmental officials from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) were dispatched to evaluate the environmental impact. While groundwater and drinking water were unaffected, surface contamination from firefighting efforts required cleanup. As a precaution, nearby roads were blocked, with commuters advised to seek alternative routes.
