Donors reach out after blast rocks Orion Township condo complex, leaves many homeless

There were no fatalities but two people were seriously injured with severe burns from a powerful explosion Tuesday night that destroyed several condominiums and heavily damaged others in Orion Township, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Dozens of residents of the condo complex were left homeless and donations of food and clothing were arriving at Woodside Bible Church, which served as an overnight refuge in the township after the blast and resulting fire.

A 72-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman were seriously injured by the blast, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

The massive blast, from a suspected natural gas leak, occurred around 6:20 p.m. at the Keatington New Town condominiums, on Waldon Road between Baldwin and Joslyn. It drew firefighters from nine surrounding departments to the scene, according to township officials.

“Numerous residents were affected and displaced from their homes after last night’s event,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.

At least 15 condo units had to be evacuated, Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett told the Free Press shortly after the blast. Windows were blown out, one condo was shoved off its foundation, and the one nearest the apparent origin of the explosion was barely standing, Barnett said. (Story continues below this list.)

Township, Sheriff’s Office urge affected residents to use the following resources for immediate aid

• Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

• Call Orion Township at 248-391-0304, ext. 2009.

• For food, visit the Woodside Bible Church “Village Food Pantry” at 2325 Joslyn Court in Canterbury Village. For more information, call 248-391-1900.

More: Orion Township condo explosion seriously injures 2 people, leaves many homeless

To help those affected

• Monetary donations can be made through Love INC of North Oakland County by calling 248-693-4357 or visiting loveincofnoc.org.

• Clothing and food donations may be dropped off at Woodside Bible Church, located at 2500 Joslyn Road, in Canterbury Village.

By Wednesday, an online GoFundMe site had been launched to collect donations for newlyweds who lost their home and two cats in the explosion at their condo. More than $17,000 had been donated to the couple in just a few hours, said GoFundMe spokeswoman Angelique McNaughton, in an online announcement. The site had a short note from the couple’s relative, Scott Falconer of Lake Orion, who launched the site.

“This is my newly married in September nephew and niece, Drake and Nina Falconer,” Falconer wrote on the page of the fundraiser. “On November 19th, there was a terrible explosion and fire that destroyed their entire home and all the contents. We are certainly grateful for their personal health and continue with prayer for the other neighbors devastated by this tragic event.”

McNaughton of GoFundMe said the fundraising site was watching for more requests to assist those left homeless by the blast. She said, “Our team will continue to monitor the platform for related fundraisers and will be sure to share those once they are verified.”

Contact Bill Laytner:  blaitner@freepress.com

Contact Nour Rahal: nrahal@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: After Orion’s condo explosion: Woodside church and donors extend help

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