WDIV WARREN, Mich. (WDIV) - A commercial building exploded Wednesday near Hoover Road and Belmont Avenue, just south of Stephens Road, in Warren.
Warren Mayor James Fouts said the building exploded due to a gas leak. Fouts said it was an abandoned dry cleaners. The building collapsed entirely, Fouts said.
He said one person sustained minor injuries.
No one was trapped under the rubble, Warren police said.
Warren police Lt. Craig Garwood said the explosion happened about 8:10 p.m. and said no one was inside the building at the time.
Several fire trucks and firefighters responded to the fire Wednesday evening. Firefighters doused the flames, but the building collapsed.
Dan Danlecke, who owns the Bonanza Bowling center at 9 and 1/2 Mile and Hoover roads, said his bowling alley shook during the explosion.
Danlecke said the alley's doors opened and sprinkler heads fell from the ceiling.
Art Marshall, who lives in one of the homes nearby, said he heard and felt the explosion.
"Sounded like a bomb went off," Marshall said.
Marshall said he was outside when police said he and neighbors had to move down the block, farther away from the building.
"All the neighbors came out. We saw everything just flying in the air from the explosion, and then the building on fire," Marshall said.
People reported feeling the explosion from miles away. Nearby buildings had windows broken by debris. Homeowners in the area reported doors opening due to the explosion.
Craig Wood, who also lives nearby, said he fell to the floor when he heard the explosion and saw the cloud of debris.
"I hit the floor," Wood said. "I was standing in my living room and next thing you know this big ol' orange flashing light came and there was a big ol' boom. I told the kids to hit the floor. I, like the idiot I am, ran outside to see what happened."
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