DETROIT (WXYZ) — After an apartment building exploded on Detroit's west side Monday morning, residents had to watch as their building with all their belongings was demolished due to safety concerns. Families are displaced, traumatized and searching for answers.
Charlene Jackson has lived at the apartment located on Schoolcraft Road and Littlefield Street for over a decade. She remembers the happy memories but is now only left with grief.
“It’s very devastating. I have to start all over again. That’s something I didn’t want to do," she said.
Just before 4 a.m. Monday, she felt an explosion she couldn’t explain.
"The pressure of the impact was so strong I thought we was in a tornado. It just shook the whole building," she said.
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City officials say they do not have a cause of the explosion yet. However, inspectors and the Detroit Fire Department made their way into the building to investigate Monday morning.
Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal says he's devastated by what happened in his district. He says he was made aware of the investigation and the reasoning of the quick demolition of the building.
"It’s important to get it down quick, because we don’t want it to be a hazard to the public. That building, in the shape that it was in, if it was left standing, it could cause a hazard and be very dangerous to the other residents in the surrounding community," Durhal said. “We understand personal belongings mean something to a family, but safety is first and art is paramount.”
Families had to watch the demolition of the building with their personal belongings inside.
Related video: Residents share stories after Detroit apartment explosion injures 13
Thirteen people were hospitalized due to the explosion, including five children. Three adults remain hospitalized as of Monday evening as well as a 3-year-old girl. Jackson now says she's going to temporarily stay with her father, Charles Jackson, in Livonia.
"My house is open to them, whatever I have. I’m just glad they’re living," Charles Jackson said.
While the American Red Cross is not offering housing, they are offering families financial and mental health assistance. Many families have decided to temporarily stay with friends or family.
Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield also released a statement saying the city will offer assistance to those who need it.
Meanwhile residents are still left with questions as to how this explosion was caused and if there is any foul play.
“I want know what happened. I want know was it something that caused it cause of something in the house or was it something that somebody did," Charles asked.
Durhal says if families need temporary housing or assistance ,they can reach out to the City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department.
“We had the opportunity to reach out to multiple families. One family thus far has requested assistance for temporary housing and we’ll try to get them into permanent housing," he said. “It was really heartbreaking to see that building, but kind of felt a little but heartwarming that at least we were able to get everyone out.”
