Building Owner In Deadly Clinton Township Explosion Tried Fleeing Country: Police

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — The owner of a Clinton Township building that exploded and killed a man last month is facing manslaughter charges, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.

A 19-year-old bystander died after he was hit by a flying projectile when the Select Distributors facility, located at 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway, exploded and became engulfed in flames on March 4, according to police.

Noor Noel Kestou, 31, of Commerce, owned and operated the building, which exploded because there were thousands of cans of Nitrous oxide and butane stored in the building, according to police.

Kestou was arrested in connection to the deadly explosion without incident at an airport in New York with a one way ticket to Hong Kong in April, according to prosecutors.

Kestou was charged with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum penalty up to 15 years in prison. He was placed in jail on a $500,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for May 7.

If he is released from jail, Kestou must wear a GPS tether, surrender his passport, cannot leave the state and must not possess any weapons. Prosecutors also said more charges are possible as the investigation unfolds.

"Our hearts ache for the family and loved ones of the young man whose life was tragically cut short by this devastating explosion," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said. "We are steadfast in our commitment to pursuing justice and holding the individual accountable for their actions."

Police said the 19-year-old man was standing roughly a quarter-mile from the fire when he was hit by the projectile while firefighters battled the blaze.

Multiple nearby homes and businesses were evacuated as firefighters battled the blaze which caused exploding debris and shrapnel flew as far as a half mile to a mile in all directions, according to police.

Exploding canisters also struck a police vehicle and a fire department vehicle, damaging both vehicles, according to police.

Residents as far away as Mount Clemens and Sterling Heights could hear the explosions and feel their homes shaking, according to officials.

Officials still have not determined an exact cause of the fire and did not rule out possible human involvement.

Officials were still investigating the deadly fire.