Detroit house explosion cause confirmed by Detroit Fire

FOX 2 - The cause of a Detroit house explosion on Forrer Street from last week has been confirmed by the Detroit Fire Department.

The backstory:

A gas leak was found to be the source of the blast which took place last Thursday, according to DFD.

The house was being worked on with nobody inside that day, and there were no reported injuries. 

DTE said everything was in good working order, per their investigation.

"DTE’s natural gas pipeline, meter and all other DTE equipment serving the Detroit home was tested and found to be in safe working condition and not the cause of Thursday’s incident."

DTE said in a statement that interior pipes and appliances are owned and maintend by the home owner.

"Safety is DTE’s top priority, and we urge everyone to learn the steps they should take to help ensure the safe use of natural gas in their homes and understand their role in keeping natural gas safe," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Even though leaks caused by equipment in the home are a customer’s responsibility, always alert DTE. 

"Anyone who smells or suspects a natural gas leak should call 911 and then DTE’s leak hotline at 800-947-5000. DTE will help determine if a leak is present, identify the corrective action for the owner to take, and if necessary, shut off service as a safety precaution. Learn more at dteenergy.com/gassafety.

Neighbors claimed DTE workers were out at the house earlier on Thursday before the explosion. 

"DTE Gas was on site at the home on Forrer St. in Detroit (Thursday) morning to start natural gas service," said a statement from DTE last week. "An initial investigation at the scene has confirmed that all DTE equipment was in proper, safe working order."

Residents in the neighborhood said the explosion was so strong that it shook their homes in the area of Forrer and St. Martins. 

As part of its investigation, DTE dug up the gas line to determine the source of the explosion.

A previous version of this story cited DTE as confirming the cause of the explosion as a gas leak, which was incorrect. It was the Detroit Fire Department which confirmed the leak led to the explosion.