A devastating incident at a Michigan medical center has left a community in shock. On Friday, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber exploded, claiming the life of a 5-year-old boy who was undergoing treatment inside. His mother, who was nearby at the time, suffered injuries to her arms.

The explosion occurred around 8 a.m. at the Oxford Center in Troy, located about 30 minutes north of Detroit. Emergency crews arrived to find the child, from Royal Oak, unresponsive in the wreckage of the chamber. Officials confirmed his death at the scene.

Authorities are still working to determine what caused the explosion. Lieutenant Ben Hancock of the Troy Police Department shared that the boy’s mother was standing close to the chamber when it blew up, resulting in her injuries. The fire caused by the explosion was quickly extinguished, and the facility sustained minimal damage.

Hyperbaric chambers, which are used to deliver high levels of oxygen at increased air pressure, are typically safe but can be extremely flammable due to the 100% oxygen environment. The Oxford Center, established in 2008, offers various therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen treatment and neurofeedback brain therapy. It will remain closed indefinitely as investigations continue.

Lieutenant Keith Young of the Troy Fire Department called the incident “very uncommon,” noting that nothing like this had happened during his decade-long tenure. “This is an exceptionally difficult day for all of us,” the Oxford Center said in a statement.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is often used to treat conditions like decompression sickness or air bubbles in blood vessels. While it can promote healing by boosting blood vessel and tissue growth, it also carries risks due to the highly combustible nature of oxygen-rich environments.

As the community mourns this heartbreaking loss, questions remain about what led to the explosion. Officials have promised a thorough investigation to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.