Man charged in deadly Macomb County fire, explosion returning to court today — Here’s why

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – The owner of a Clinton Township business that caught fire and saw several explosions, killing a teenager with flying debris, is expected to return to court on Thursday.

The fiery explosion happened on March 4, 2024, in the area of ​​15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway. Thousands of containers of combustible gas that were stored in the building caused continuous explosions. The debris field stretched at least a half-mile in each direction, according to officials.

A 19-year-old from Clinton Township was struck in the head by flying debris and died from his injuries.

Find full coverage of the Clinton Township explosion here.

While Clinton Township police and fire crews were investigating the cause of the fire, they learned that the owner and operator of the building, Noor Noel Kestou, had purchased a one-way plane ticket to Hong Kong. Kestou, 31, was set to depart from JFK International Airport in New York.

An arrest warrant for Kestou was authorized. He was arrested at the airport. Clinton Township detectives flew to New York and took him into custody on April 24, 2024.

The business owner—believed to be the only owner of the Clinton Township business—was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony.

Kestou’s preliminary hearing began in May 2025 and continued until Aug. 25, 2025. The hearing initially adjourned until September, but the next court hearing was rescheduled for October. 16.

Previous coverage

Multiple witnesses testified, including an employee who claimed there were “weird incidents” happening that led to the explosion, including strange behavior of the building’s heating system that night.

Another witness, a fire inspector, testified that butane and nitrous were not in the building when he inspected it in 2022. However, he saw countless containers of butane and nitrous, varying in different sizes, scattered. around the business after it exploded. He was also unaware that Kestou’s business was meant for distribution because he claimed Kestou labeled the business as a typical retail shop when the building was inspected years before the explosion.

The planning and communication director for Clinton Township, Bruce Thompson, also testified that he and Kestou discussed zoning disputes for the business.

Thompson said Kestou indicated he proposed to have a building be a warehouse building in September 2020. Thompson told Kestou that his business needs to be zoned in the industrial district to have a warehouse business.

Thompson testified that Kestou then told him his business was actually a retail business. So, Kestou has approval to have a retail shop in the township’s retail district.

Thompson testified that Kestou’s warehouse business was not supposed to be in the retail district.

Judge could make decision

At the end of the hearing on Aug. 25, the judge asked both the prosecution and the defense to submit briefs by Sept. 15 and 22. The judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to move the case to trial.