Early on November 26, 2024, Brighton, Michigan, was startled by the explosion of a tank containing oil drilling byproducts, located near the General Motors (GM) Proving Ground. Fortunately, the event, which took place at about 6:40 AM, resulted only in property damage with no report of injuries, according to the Brighton Area Fire Authority Chief, Michael O'Brian.
The scene was chaotic as fire crews were called to the site immediately after the tank burst, shaking nearby residences and shattering windows of two homes situated about 500 to 600 feet away. Video footage from local news outlets vividly depicted flames shooting high above the area, illustrating the force of the explosion. O'Brian noted, "Anytime you have something like this happen, it is concerning. Residents reported feeling the explosion even miles away from the site." The blast occurred adjacent to the GM Proving Ground, approximately 45 miles northwest of Detroit.
GM quickly issued a statement praising the emergency responders and confirming, "Thankfully, no one was injured, and no facilities were damaged." Many local residents felt the intensity of the blast, with one individual recollecting it as feeling similar to "a bomb exploding next door." That resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, added, "We looked over the trees and saw the plume of smoke. It was alarming." This area had long harbored apprehensions among locals about the potential dangers posed by the oil drilling operations.
Chief O'Brian investigation continues concerning the cause of the explosion, which is believed to involve natural gas byproducts mixed with water and brine. He explained this mixture can pose serious risks, stating, "The tanks are not owned or operated by GM; they are leased by another party. One of the tanks experienced what we call catastrophic failure and exploded." This incident took place on a site leased by White Rock Oil & Gas, based out of Plano, Texas. Notably, there is currently paperwork in progress for the ownership to transition to T2 Operating Corp., situated in Denver.
Responders to the emergency included approximately two dozen trucks from surrounding fire departments such as Milford, Highland Township, Lyon Township, and Howell. With no hydrants nearby, they relied on tanker trucks for water supply. The fire was brought under control within about 50 minutes. O'Brien mentioned, "We had to use flame-suppressing foam to effectively douse the fire. While the main blaze has been extinguished, we still had some minor flames to deal with due to the natural gas." Fire officials confirmed they continue to monitor smaller fires related to the gas as they work to cleanse the area.
By late morning, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) was on site to assess the environmental impact of the explosive incident. A spokesperson from EGLE, Josef Greenberg, commented, "The groundwater and drinking water are not affected. Our clean-up crew is on-site and ready to mitigate any aftermath effectively." Investigators from EGLE began their work shortly after the fire was contained. They characterized the event as "an ever-evolving situation" needing attention.
The residents nearby are now left reassessing their proximity to such industrial activity. Local community members have voiced their concerns, remembering the long-standing worries about the oil and gas equipment residing close to homes, including around bus stops and schools. One neighbor reflected on living with such risks for years, expressing disbelief at having to face this situation. There is hope among many residents for changes to address their safety moving forward.
The explosion at GM's Milford Proving Ground has raised questions concerning safety protocols and management of external operations at neighboring residential areas. Authorities continue to investigate the factors leading to the explosion, and the people of Brighton await clarity and assurance for their safety.
