Honestly, it’s the kind of sound you don’t just hear; you feel it in your teeth. This afternoon, a massive explosion in Detroit today ripped through a neighborhood on the city's west side, leaving residents shaken and a residential street looking like a literal war zone. The blast happened in the 19400 block of Forrer Street. That’s right near the intersection of Greenfield Road and Seven Mile.
It was loud.
Neighbors living as far as three blocks away reported their houses shuddering. One local mentioned they thought a plane had gone down or a semi-truck had slammed into a building. But when the smoke started to clear, the reality was much more localized and, frankly, terrifying. A single-family home was just... gone.
The Forrer Street Blast: Immediate Aftermath
The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) arrived on the scene within minutes of the 1:40 p.m. call. What they found was a debris field that covered almost the entire block.
We are talking about insulation hanging from trees and chunks of wood scattered across front lawns. According to DFD officials, the house involved was vacant. It had reportedly been empty for about two years, though neighbors noted there had been recent activity as the owner was preparing it to be rented out.
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The good news? No one was inside.
Miraculously, there are no reported deaths or major injuries directly from the blast site itself. However, the force was so intense that the two houses immediately flanking the property sustained significant structural damage. Firefighters had to move quickly to ensure the gas was shut off to the entire line to prevent a secondary incident.
What Caused the Explosion in Detroit Today?
Whenever something like this happens, the first question is always "how?"
Basically, it looks like a gas buildup. DTE Energy crews were on-site quickly to assist the fire marshal’s office in the investigation. Interestingly, a neighbor named Andre Thomas mentioned that he and a friend had actually smelled gas just minutes before the house went up.
He noticed the gas meter was "ticking" rapidly.
"I was sitting in my truck, and three minutes later, it blew," Thomas told local reporters. He’s lucky to be alive. His vehicle was actually struck by the front door of the house, which was launched like a projectile across the street.
DTE released a statement confirming that a crew had been at the location earlier that same day to start a natural gas service for the property. They’ve stated that their equipment was in "proper, safe working order" at the time they left. This creates a bit of a mystery. If the equipment was fine, did a leak spring within the internal piping of the vacant home shortly after they turned the gas on? That’s what investigators are currently digging into.
A Pattern of Infrastructure Concerns?
This isn't an isolated "freak accident" in the eyes of many Detroiters. If you follow the news here, you've seen this before.
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- In November 2025, a similar gas-related explosion occurred on the city's west side.
- Earlier in 2025, an apartment complex on Littlefield and Schoolcraft saw a massive blast that injured 12 people.
- Back in July 2025, an explosion on the east side (McCormick Street) tragically killed a woman.
When you look at the age of the infrastructure in some of these neighborhoods, it’s easy to get worried. Most of these lines and home hookups are decades old. While DTE maintains they are constantly updating the grid, the frequency of these residential "booms" is starting to wear on the public's nerves.
What to Do If You Smell Gas
Look, it sounds like common sense, but the Forrer Street situation proves how fast things go south. If you’re in a neighborhood with older homes and you catch that "rotten egg" smell, don't wait.
- Get out immediately. Don't turn off the lights. Don't grab your keys. Don't use a phone inside the house. A single spark from a light switch can trigger a buildup.
- Call from a distance. Use a neighbor's phone or your cell once you are at least a block away.
- Don't ignore "ticking" meters. If you see your gas meter spinning or ticking like crazy when no appliances are running, that’s a massive red flag.
The Detroit Fire Department is still on the scene as of this evening, and the 19400 block of Forrer remains closed to traffic. If you usually commute through Greenfield or Seven Mile, expect some rubbernecking delays and police cordons.
The city's building inspectors will likely be out tomorrow to determine if the neighboring homes are even safe to sleep in tonight. For now, a few families are looking for a place to stay because their windows are gone and their walls are cracked. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly a quiet afternoon can turn into a disaster.
Safety Steps for Homeowners
If you are moving into a vacant property or turning on services for a new tenant, you should consider a few extra precautions. Don't just rely on the utility company's external check.
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Have a licensed plumber or HVAC specialist run a pressure test on the internal lines. These tests can catch small leaks that might not be immediately obvious but can lead to a dangerous gas pocket over several hours. Also, installing a combustible gas detector—which works like a smoke alarm but for natural gas—costs about $40 and could literally save your life.
Stay vigilant, especially in these colder months when furnaces are working overtime and putting extra pressure on old pipes.
The investigation into the explosion in Detroit today will likely continue for several days as the DFD arson unit and DTE forensic teams sift through the rubble. We’ll see if any further details emerge regarding the internal piping of that Forrer Street home.
Practical Next Steps for Residents
- Check your detectors: Ensure you have functioning carbon monoxide and, if possible, natural gas detectors on every floor.
- Report odors: Never "wait and see" if a gas smell goes away. Call 1-800-477-4747 (DTE’s emergency line) immediately.
- Clear debris: If you live near Forrer Street, do not attempt to clean up debris yourself; wait for authorities to confirm the area is clear of asbestos or other hazards.