Contact: Sgt. Joy Matthews
Email: joy.matthews@kentcountymi.gov
Supervisor Approval: Lt. Ben Cammenga
Case Number: 21-119932
Incident Type: House Fire

SOLON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (May 4, 2021) – The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fire involving injuries at a residence in Solon Township.

On 05/04/2021 at 5:14 PM, deputies from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office responded to White Creek Country Estates (White Creek Ave NE and Egner St NE) on a residential fire. A 50-year-old male, who was outside of the residence, was severely injured after a fire and multiple explosions occurred in an attached carport. Prior to officers arriving on the scene, neighbors pulled the victim out of the carport.

When officers arrived on the scene, they saw butane tanks inside the carport and smoke and flames coming from the house. They immediately evacuated several nearby residences and provided emergency medical aid to the victim who sustained significant injuries to his hands and burns to his body. He was transported to Spectrum Hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. The victim's mother was inside the residence at the time of the fire but was not injured. Both the victim and his mother live at the residence.

Michigan State Police Bomb Squad and Arson Investigators responded to the scene after homemade fireworks were located. Solon Fire Department, Algoma Fire Department, Cedar Springs Fire Department, and Kent City Fire Department assisted with the fire. DTE Energy responded to shut off gas inside the residence.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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