CLINTON TOWNSHIP – At the scene of the Goo Smoke Shop explosion, a solution is emerging, even if it’s just the physical part.

Clinton Township Mayor Bob Cannon announced on August 13 that the Environmental Protection Agency will begin cleanup at the site of the Goo Smoke Shop explosion, with work expected to begin on August 19, according to Cannon.

“Monday and Tuesday they will allow any investigator to come onto the site and identify areas they want to look at under the rubble,” he said in an interview after the announcement. “There are certain hotspots that will then be identified and exposed. This will give the investigators a chance to see what was there that they are interested in.”

Machinery is expected to arrive next week to begin the bulk of the cleanup work.

“It’s going to start slowly, but it’s going to be in full swing by Labor Day,” Cannon said. “They’re expecting it to take about 100 days total from start to finish.”

The supervisor said prosecutor Peter Lucido authorized the cleanup.

“I am very pleased with how the EPA has treated our employees and our community,” Cannon said.

The explosion occurred on March 4, 2024, and claimed the life of 19-year-old Turner Salter. The store was located near the intersection of 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway.

Noor Kestou, the owner of Goo Smoke Shop, is currently facing a manslaughter charge that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. A probation hearing will be held on August 20 in District Court 41B with Judge Sebastian Lucido.

Cannon said he was glad that cleanup efforts had finally begun and urged residents to stay away from the accident scene.

“We still don’t want anyone to get hurt here,” he said. “There are dangerous objects there. We don’t know what’s underneath. The EPA has to make sure the air is clean during the cleanup. They have to make sure everything is good for the neighborhood. We don’t want debris falling everywhere.”

Call Editor Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.