“Victims Identified in Fatal Home Explosion in Northfield Township: Family from Arkansas Mourns the Loss”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Family from Arkansas Identified as Victims in Fatal Michigan Home Explosion

01:12 WHITMORE LAKE, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Northfield Township police have identified the victims of a tragic home explosion in Northfield Township, Michigan. The explosion, which occurred on December 30, claimed the lives of four individuals and left two others injured. The police were alerted to the explosion after receiving reports of a loud blast at a single-family home in the quiet rural area of the Whitmore Lake neighborhood.

The explosion, which was so powerful that it could be heard in Jackson, devastated the home located on Winters Lane. The victims have been identified as 72-year-old Richard Pruden, the homeowner, and his daughter Hope Bragg, aged 51. Also among the victims were Hope Bragg’s husband, Don Bragg, aged 53, their son Kenneth Bragg, aged 22, and their daughter Elizabeth Bragg, aged 19. All five individuals tragically lost their lives in the explosion.

The police have revealed that Richard Pruden is currently in critical condition, while the youngest member of the family, 16-year-old Stephen Bragg, is in stable condition. The Bragg family had been visiting from Arkansas to spend the holidays together.

Authorities have conducted a preliminary investigation into the incident and have determined that a fuel explosion was the cause of the blast. At this time, no foul play is suspected. “The investigation is still ongoing. I can say preliminarily, and it’s subject to change pending further analysis of the evidence and interviews, that we have an undetermined fuel-air explosion. We do not expect foul play at this time,” said Northfield Township Lt. Dave Powell.

In light of this devastating tragedy, a vigil will be held on Saturday, January 6, at 3 p.m. at Whitmore Lake High School to honor the memory of the victims. The community is invited to attend and show their support during this difficult time.

Both Northfield Township police and Michigan State Police are continuing their investigation into the incident, working diligently to uncover any additional information that may shed light on the cause of the explosion.

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Joseph Buczek, the manager of digital content and promotion at CBS News Detroit, has provided coverage of this tragic event. Buczek has previously worked at WWTV, the Grand Traverse Insider, the Leader and the Kalkaskian, the Oakland Press, and the Morning Sun.

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