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If you’ve caught a whiff of a “strong smell,” you’re not alone — and officials want you to report it.
The Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition confirmed that an “underground explosion” happened at Dearborn and Fort Streets, the coalition confirmed on Twitter, adding: “If you smell odor, call EGLE 800-292-4706.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Sen. Stephanie Chang were both tagged in the tweet. “We need help in finding out how a whole block can lift off the ground like this. We deserve to be safe,” Tlaib tweeted, calling to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Tlaib also tagged DTE Energy.
Chang also urged citizens to contact 800-292-4706 if they “experience odor” in the area. She shared an update from DTE later that afternoon, reading in part:
“A collaborative investigation is underway by the City of Detroit, the Great Lakes Water Authority and DTE Energy regarding an incident that happened in southwest Detroit near Fort Street and Dearborn Street late Saturday night. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate natural gas was the case of the incident; a natural gas explosion did not occur. However, parts of DTE’s gas and electric infrastructure were impacted by a water main break. STE personnel are on site to ensure public safety as well as the integrity of the natural gas and electric infrastructure systems.”
The Detroit Public Works department announced Monday (September 13) that parts of the streets would close “until further notice…where underground issues caused road heaving and building damage overnight.” Officials are still working to determine what caused the shift. Fewer than 25 customers are without gas, according to DTE, the city noted.
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