Explosion in Alger County
An Alger County man is in fair condition tonight after he and his granddaughter were injured in an accidental explosion Friday afternoon.
The call came in around 2:40 Friday afternoon.
State Police from the Munising Detachment say the explosion happened at the home of 61-year-old Kenneth Rieli on County Road H–58.
Rieli is known as a hobby inventor, chemist and engineer.
Police believe Rieli was experimenting with different powered chemicals when the explosion occurred.
He was severely injured and transported to Marquette General Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Police say although he is expected to survive, he may not fully recover from his injuries.
The man’s 19-year-old granddaughter received minor injuries.
Investigators from the Michigan State Police, along with the FBI and the ATF, responded to the incident.
They were assisted by bomb and explosive technicians from the Michigan State Police.
The FBI assisted with recovery and destruction of potentially hazardous substances and chemicals found at the scene.
Alger County EMS and the Munising Township Fire Department also responded to the incident, which remains under investigation