Full Notification

MILTON TOWNSHIP — The Cass County Sheriff’ Richard J. Behnke reports that his office did investigate a home explosion in Milton Township that injured one and started a fire at the residence.

Police responded to 33064 Bertrand St. around 6:06 p.m. after neighbors reported hearing what sounded like two explosions, before the house caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames.

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said authorities did not know at the time of the investigation ,what caused the explosion.


Thomas Teddy, 75, and wife Brenda were inside the home when the explosion and subsequent fire occurred. The husband came out of the house with some burns on him, He was conscious at the scene and told people that there was no one else in the house. Thomas Teddy sustained burn injuries and was taken by SMCAS ambulance to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. His wife, Brenda, was also taken to the hospital for an unrelated medical issue. Thomas Teddy was later transferred to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo to be treated in their Burn Unit. He is currently listed as Stable but Serious condition.


At about 6:20 p.m. the flames could be seen about a quarter of a mile down the block near Batchelor Drive and Bertrand Street. Thick black smoke billowed above the tree line. Behnke said the home is likely considered a total loss.

The road was blocked off for about half of a mile starting at Batchelor and Bertrand streets. In a situation involving explosions, Behnke said it was important to establish safe parameters.


“We worked to keep the scene safe,” Behnke said. “That’s what we do as police.”

In addition to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police Niles Post, firefighters from Niles, Niles Township, Edwardsburg, Clay Township responded to the sceneas well.