A tragic incident occurred on Friday, January 31, when a 5-year-old boy lost his life in an explosion at a medical facility in Troy, Michigan. The explosion took place inside a hyperbaric chamber at The Oxford Center, located on 165 Kirts Blvd.
The young child, whose identity has not been released, was inside the chamber when the explosion occurred. Hyperbaric chambers, which deliver pure oxygen in an enclosed space under high pressure, are typically used to help treat damaged tissues. However, authorities have not disclosed why the child was receiving oxygen therapy at the time.
The Troy Fire and Police Departments responded to the scene at 7:54 a.m. Upon arrival, first responders determined that the child had died inside the chamber. The explosion caused a fire that was contained to the room where it occurred, according to Troy Fire Department Lt. Ken Young.
The boy’s mother was standing nearby and sustained injuries to her arms. Authorities shared that the presence of pure oxygen in such a pressurized environment can make the chamber highly combustible, though they emphasized that incidents like this are extremely rare.
The Oxford Center, an alternative medical facility, offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a variety of conditions, including those not approved by the FDA such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson’s disease. The center’s spokesperson, Andrew Kistner, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident.
“This is an exceptionally difficult day for all of us,” Kistner told The Detroit Free Press. “The safety and wellbeing of the children we serve is our highest priority. Nothing like this has happened in our more than 15 years of providing this type of therapy.”
An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, and both the Troy Fire and Police Departments and The Oxford Center have vowed to fully cooperate with authorities.
What's Up Today Editorial Team