A tragic incident unfolded Friday morning at a medical facility in Troy, Michigan, when a pressurized hyperbaric oxygen chamber exploded, killing a 5-year-old patient and injuring his mother. The explosion occurred around 8 a.m. at the Oxford Center, a facility specializing in hyperbaric oxygen therapy located north of Detroit.
The young victim, a boy from Royal Oak, Michigan, was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother, who was standing nearby, sustained injuries to her arms but is expected to recover. Authorities have not disclosed the specific medical condition the child was being treated for at the time of the explosion, CBS News reported.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves delivering pure oxygen in a pressurized environment to enhance oxygen levels in the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, the treatment is used for conditions such as decompression sickness, severe wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, and tissue damage from radiation therapy. However, the high concentration of oxygen—up to five times that of normal air—makes the chambers highly combustible.
“The presence of such a high amount of oxygen in a pressurized environment can make it extremely combustible,” said Troy Fire Lt. Keith Young during a news conference. “This is very uncommon, so we’re not sure what led up to it.”
The explosion caused a fire in the room, which was quickly extinguished. No other injuries were reported, though staff members were present at the time. The Oxford Center released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident and pledging full cooperation with investigations.
“The safety and well-being of the children we serve is our highest priority,” the center said. “Nothing like this has happened in our more than 15 years of providing this type of therapy. We do not know why or how this happened and will participate in all of the investigations that now need to take place”, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion has been handed over to state authorities. The tragic event has raised questions about the safety protocols surrounding hyperbaric chambers, which are generally considered safe when operated correctly.
As the community mourns the loss of the young boy, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with medical treatments involving highly pressurized environments. Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The Cooper family created a GoFundMe to help cover final expenses. “He was the smartest and cutest kid that liked to zoom, zoom, zoom,” the fundraiser reads.