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CLINTON TOWNSHIP— Though the Clinton Township Board of Trustees had other things to get through at its March 18 meeting, the Goo Smoke Shop explosion was the elephant in the room.
Township Supervisor Robert Cannon opened the meeting by relaying comments from Tim Berlin, the pastor at Faith Baptist Church, which Turner Salter attended, thanking the community for its support during the difficult time. Salter, 19, of Clinton Township, died in the March 4 incident. Cannon then addressed the township’s position directly.
“We want the public to know that the incident that occurred on March 4 at approximately 8:50 p.m. is being given our utmost attention and will continue to be until it is fully investigated and a report issued,” Cannon said.
Cannon said there was misinformation about the blast and aimed to set the record straight. He said the Goo Smoke Shop erupted into a fire followed by a series of explosions. He explained that the explosion sent debris into the air up to 2 miles away. Cannon said that no township would have permitted the volatile materials found at the scene, such as butane, to be stored the way they were.
“Our building and fire inspectors properly inspected the business prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy in May 2022,” Cannon said. “Contrary to public opinion, the township does not have the ability to subsequently inspect businesses of this type without probable cause.”
He said the police and fire departments responded immediately and, by 9:13 p.m., the Clinton Township Police Department Facebook page warned residents to stay away from the area.
“Naturally, the public wants to know what’s going on, but we will not jeopardize the investigation by responding tonight to a question-and-answer session,” Cannon said.
Cannon added that the onsite investigation is on hold until early April, saying it was important to have the different agencies work together to provide a unified finding. He said the site is currently being protected by police and private security services. Cannon said there is currently another investigation happening that started following the explosion and is ongoing. He said he also couldn’t comment on that investigation.
Following the usual business, the township opened it up for public comment. Most speakers touched on the explosion.
Resident Paul Schorsch discussed the emotional toll of the event.
“My granddaughters were in my basement crying their eyes out,” he said. “I thought we were being bombed. It was terrifying, I don’t ever want to see that happen again.”
Resident Stephania Messina discussed the ripple effects of the explosion on her family.
“On that day my son, who is seated back here, lost a friend named Turner (Salter),” Messina said.
She went on to talk about her background as a registered respiratory therapist and how she’s familiar with the safe storage requirements for compressed medical gasses. Messina said in the wake of the explosion, and the increase in vape shops, there should be more regulations of this industry. She also called for more inspections of the shops.
“I live only a few hundred feet from the vacant building, I have five young sons, and I don’t want to lose sleep at night wondering if the next person that moves in is going to be storing similar items that can cause a similar event,” Messina said. “Most people I’ve spoken with would agree with that. I don’t think that’s hyperbolic. I think that’s appropriate considering what we’ve endured as a community and in light of the loss of a young life that should not be lost in vain.”
Following Messina’s comment, Cannon asked that the meeting hold a moment of silence for Salter.
Later, resident Flora Marie Cusumano commented that the Clinton Township community alert system, through Nixle, was not utilized to warn residents of the explosion.
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.
