GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — A man was hurt when black powder exploded and his house burned at midday Friday.
At 11:06 a.m. Friday, Grand Haven Department of Public Safety officers responded to a report of a house fire at 612 Columbus St. in Grand Haven. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the home’s second floor burning.
Public Safety officers extinguished the flames and ventilated the roof. They also performed an extensive overhaul to find hot spots in the ceiling and void spaces in the house.
An investigation revealed that a resident of the home was using black powder to manufacture homemade fireworks when the black powder exploded accidentally, starting the fire. The resident suffered burns to his arm during the blast.
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety was assisted at the scene by Grand Haven Township Fire Rescue, the Ferrysburg Fire Department, Northwest Ottawa Community Hospital paramedics and the American Red Cross.
The blaze remains under investigation. When the probe is completed, the results will be forwarded to the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office for possible charges.
