DETROIT (WXYZ) — Officials are investigating a home explosion on Detroit’s northeast side Tuesday that injured three children.
The explosion happened just after 3 p.m. in Detroit's Osborn neighborhood on Barlow Street near 7 Mile Road. Chopper 7 captured the scene and the extensive damage to surrounding homes.
The circumstances surrounding the incident and a cause are unclear as of Tuesday evening. Three children that live next door to the home that exploded were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Family of the children says they are all under the age of 12 and were home from school Tuesday due to Teacher Development Day at Detroit Public Schools Community District.
“The glass just blew up on them and cut them up a little bit, but they’re OK, though," aunt to all three children Brittany Motley said. “As long as my nieces and nephews are fine, that’s all that matters to me.”
The children are suffering minor injuries due to cuts and lacerations from broken glass and debris.
A neighbor living directly behind the home that exploded says her windows rattled and she heard a loud boom Tuesday.
"I heard a big explosion. I’m like, I got shook. My house shook and I’m like, oh my goodness," neighbor Nicole Morris said.
Ring doorbell from Morris' home captured the sound of the explosion. Watch here:
Detroit Fire Department Chief James Harris says the home is a total loss and a homes next door sustained significant damage. DTE Energy and contractors through the city of Detroit were on scene helping with cleanup and debris.
Watch the update from Harris below:
The Detroit Fire Department says it's too early in the investigation to determine a cause. They also wouldn't say if anyone was inside the home at the time of the explosion and continued to actively investigate into the late hours of Tuesday.
Neighbors say they weren't aware that someone lived inside the residence.
“I have never seen nobody come in and out of it," Morris said. "It’s empty from what I heard.”
Power went out for some in the neighborhood but has since returned. Many children were outside playing at the time of the explosion and neighbors hope to have some answers soon.
“All these kids could’ve been injured, so we just want know what caused it," neighbor Jarell Kelley said.
Make sure to stick with 7 Action News as this story develops.
