Cleanup of exploded warehouse in Clinton Township complete, EPA says

The debris after the Clinton Township Goo Smoke Shop building was first cleaned up. In December, the EPA completed the cleanup (EPA photos).

(FOX 2) CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MIFederal officials say they have completed clearing the site that was flattened after thousands of canisters were lit, nearly a year after an explosion left one person dead and the neighborhood rocked.

The old Goo Smoke Shop building was entirely occupied by the EPA. Thousands of compressed cylinders containing butane and nitrous oxide were degassed and recycled as part of their cleaning.

The building’s owner is presently awaiting court dates, so more of the story has to unfold while the cleanup is complete.

We know:

On December 4, the EPA finished cleaning up the site, and on December 13, they departed.

To handle the different powders and chemicals scattered throughout the debris, specialized heavy machinery was needed due to the dangerous nature of the materials left behind after the explosion.

Officials had to remove a variety of butane cans, entire compressed gas canisters, vape pens, and lithium-ion batteries before cleanup got underway.

Although the EPA was unable to verify the exact number of canisters that caught fire, they estimated it to be “in the thousands,” as stated in a website update. Everything that was removed was disposed of in a facility that has been approved by the EPA.

What is unknown to us:

What caused the canisters inside to detonate is still mostly unknown.

On the evening of March 4, there were many explosions at the facility, which was apparently used to store compressed canisters. The cause of the explosion is unknown.

Additionally, it’s unclear who will foot the bill after the EPA cleans up. In April 2024, Commerce Township resident Noor Kestou, the defendant, was arraigned. It’s unclear what he knew or how involved he was in the operation of the facility.

Based on the figures:

The EPA reports that 28,295 complete, fire-damaged gas cylinders containing nitrous oxide were made inert.

There were thousands of canisters that actually exploded. During the cleanup process, hundreds of thousands of ultra-refined butane were discovered.

The final cleanup numbers are as follows:

• 
  857 tons of construction and demolition debris
  
• 
  7,253 tons of ferrous metal and 33,780 tons of non-ferrous metal were recycled.
  
• 
  174,051 (DDR damaged, defective or recalled) lithium-ion batteries were recycled.
  
• 
  12 lead acid batteries.
  
• 
  28,295 aluminum and steel nitrous oxide (N20) compressed gas cylinders were degassed, devalved and were recycled.
  
• 
  73 55-gallon drums containing 14,980 pounds of waste, nicotine compounds, liquids [or] nicotine preparations, liquid, n.o.s. (Lithium hydroxide)
  
• 
  12 drums (6,600 pounds) of nitrous oxide (N20) cream chargers (also known as whip-its)
  
• 
  4 drums (320 pounds) of waste, butane petroleum gases, liquefied.
  
• 
  12 drums (4,858 pounds) of lighters containing flammable liquid.
  
• 
  11 drums (4,400 pounds) of non-hazardous, non-regulated material (non-RCRA cleaner).
  
• 
  1 drum (400 pounds )of non-hazardous, non-regulated material (coil and antifreeze)
  

The estimated cost of the cleaning was $1.6 million.

• This narrative was based on information from the Macomb County Prosecutors Office and the EPA.

This narrative was based on information from the Macomb County Prosecutors Office and the EPA.