DETROIT – An apartment building was ripped apart by an explosion on Detroit’s west side, leaving residents in shock and searching for new homes.
The explosion occurred on Monday (March 31); the scene was chaotic, and by Monday night, the building had been demolished, leaving behind only memories for those who once called it home.
Reports of the explosion began around 5 a.m. near Littlefield Street and Schoolcraft Road, prompting first responders to rush the injured to three hospitals: Henry Ford, Children’s Hospital, and Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Local 4 visited Detroit Receiving Monday night to retrieve updates on the injured residents.
Among the injured are a pregnant woman, six children, and a man suffering from severe burns covering over 90% of his body.
Martez Jackson, a resident who survived the blast, expressed disbelief at their escape.
“Ain’t nobody supposed to survive that, ain’t no way,” Jackson said, still in shock.
Jackson recounted the moments leading up to the explosion.
“I was smelling gas,” Jackson said, having checked his third-floor apartment but unable to locate the source.
“In the back room where you see that there were no walls back there? that’s where I was,” said Jackson.
By 4 a.m. on Monday, the explosion occurred. “Boom!” said neighbor Robert Guess, who was startled by the sound. “Then I heard it on the phone; it went off at 1300 Littlefield,” Guess said, describing the scene as a void where parts of the building once stood.
Back on the third floor, Jackson instinctively protected his children. He used his body to shield them until firefighters arrived with a ladder to bring the little ones to safety.
Of the 13 individuals transported to hospitals, six were children.
The survivors of the explosion have lost everything. Jackson is now clinging to his children and a few framed photos of his mother, which a police officer kindly retrieved for him.
“All my neighbors are good neighbors, and I just hope everybody is okay,” Jackson said, reflecting on the community’s plight.
Currently, a man and a woman in their 20s remain in critical condition at Detroit Receiving Hospital, while a 3-year-old girl is also in critical condition at Children’s Hospital.
The others injured have been treated and released.
As for the cause of the explosion, it remains under investigation.
The city’s building safety division is researching the building’s history and attempting to contact the owner for further information.
Anyone looking for assistance is asked to contact the Detroit Housing Resource Helpline at 1-866-313-2520.
