White Lake Refinery Explosion Sparks Massive Fire Seen and Heard for Miles

An intense explosion on Friday night rocked a petroleum refinery in White Lake Township, triggering a massive fire that led to road closures and the evacuation of nearby residents.

Around 10:10 p.m., the explosion took place at a refinery near Young and Bogie Lake roads. Many people took to social media to inquire about the loud noise, while others from miles away experienced the shockwave against their homes. Minutes later, a second explosion reverberated, and flames soared high above the tree line, generating a substantial plume of billowing black smoke visible for miles.

The fire departments of White Lake, Commerce Township, Milford, and Highland all immediately responded. Bogie Lake Road was shut down from M-59 to Biscayne Avenue, and fewer than 100 residents in close proximity to the blast and fire were evacuated, according to a White Lake Police officer.

Residents shared their experiences of the explosion, with some mentioning that they heard it in nearby towns. One resident captured a video that displayed large flames rising from the site of the explosion.

Laun Dearman, a resident in White Lake Township, recounted that he and his wife were in their home just half a mile from the refinery when they heard the first blast, mistaking it for thunder. It wasn’t until their daughter alerted them about the explosion on social media that they realized what had occurred. According to Dearman, the refinery had been drilling for oil for about a year.

This story is still unfolding and will be updated. For more information, contact Keith Matheny: [email protected].

For the original article, visit the Detroit Free Press: Refinery explosion causes large fire in White Lake, felt and heard for miles.

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Olivia Carter

Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.