A five-year-old boy tragically died Friday morning when a hyperbaric chamber exploded inside The Oxford Center, located at 165 Kirts Boulevard, Troy, Michigan. Emergency responders arrived at the medical facility shortly after 7:54 a.m. to find the child deceased inside the chamber.
"It's a horrible, tragic incident," Troy Police Lieutenant Ben Hancock remarked during a news conference later the same day. First responders confirmed the fire caused by the explosion was quickly contained to the room where it happened, and investigators began examining its causes.
The boy, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly receiving medical treatment under the care of his mother, who sustained injuries to her arms during the incident. Hancock elaborated, "The mother of the child suffered some injuries to her arms as she was standing right next to the chamber when the explosion occurred."
The Oxford Center specializes in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which involves administering 100% pure oxygen to patients within highly pressurized chambers. It is known to treat conditions such as decompression sickness, tissue injuries, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Hyperbaric chambers are criticized for their inherent risks due to the highly combustible nature of oxygen at high pressures.
Troy Fire Department Lieutenant Keith Young explained, "Our initial research shows this type of incident is uncommon. The presence of such high amounts of oxygen can make it extremely combustible." The investigation is set to be handed over to state authorities, as local fire officials begin collecting more data.
According to details from the Troy Fire Department, the chamber's oxygen concentration is significantly higher than normal atmospheric levels, making it necessary for strict safety measures to be observed. Despite the high-pressure environment, this was the first reported incident of its kind at The Oxford Center, which has been operational for over 15 years.
Upon reviewing the incident, The Oxford Center released a statement through CBS News, expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate event: "This is an exceptionally difficult day for all of us. The safety and wellbeing of the children we serve is our highest priority. Nothing like this has happened in our more than 15 years of providing this type of therapy. We do not know why or how this happened and will participate in all of the investigations necessary."
The community's response has underscored the need for mental health services, especially for those who assisted during this traumatic event. Social workers from the Oakland Community Health Network have been made available to help emergency personnel and the medical staff at the facility as they process the aftermath of the explosion.
City officials noted the need for licenses and inspections for such therapeutic devices. While specific details about what may have led to the explosion remain unclear, the focus now lies on ensuring comprehensive investigations are conducted thoroughly.
Tragedies like this leave lasting impacts not just on families but on the entire community. Troy Police Lieutenant Hancock’s reflections echoed this sentiment when he stated, "It’s not something we ever want to have to respond to. This is one of the most difficult days for everyone involved."
The Oxford Center has confirmed it's committed to participating fully with the investigation to facilitate transparency and accountability, hoping to provide closure to the families affected by this devastating incident.