At the time of the explosion, the child was inside a hyperbaric chamber—a pressurized unit filled with 100% oxygen—when it suddenly detonated. Following the blast, a fire broke out within the room housing the chamber. Fortunately, emergency responders reported that the fire did not extend to other areas of the facility, though the cause of the explosion remains undetermined.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the young boy deceased in the chamber. His mother, who was present in the room, sustained injuries to her arm during the incident.

Troy Police Lieutenant Ben Hancock characterized the explosion as a "very sad incident," noting the rarity of such occurrences. He remarked, "We’re not familiar with responding to one of these recently… It’s a horrible, tragic incident that we don’t want to ever respond to."

Hyperbaric chambers operate under elevated pressure, providing an oxygen concentration that is three to five times higher than that found in typical atmospheric conditions. Lt. Keith Young from the Troy Fire Department explained the hazards associated with such chambers, stating, "The presence of such a high amount of oxygen in a pressurized environment can make it extremely combustible." He further noted, "Our initial research shows that this is not a common incident, and the scene remains under active investigation."

The specific medical condition that required the boy to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is currently unknown. Hyperbaric chambers are designed for individual use, allowing patients to lie in a tube-shaped enclosure similar in appearance to an MRI machine while receiving concentrated oxygen.

According to the FDA, HBOT is commonly employed to treat divers suffering from barotrauma, as well as various medical conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, diabetic foot ulcers, cerebral palsy, anemia, skin and bone infections, and vision impairment. These devices must receive FDA clearance to ensure they are safe and effective for their intended use.

Andrew Kistner, a representative for The Oxford Center, released a statement to the Detroit Free Press regarding the explosion. He stated, "This morning, a fire started inside of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The child being treated in that chamber did not survive, and the child’s mother was injured." He emphasized the organization's commitment to safety, noting, "The safety and well-being of the children we serve is our highest priority. Nothing like this has happened in our more than 15 years of providing this type of therapy. We will participate in all of the investigations that now need to take place."

This incident is not the first of its kind. In May 2009, a pressurized oxygen chamber explosion resulted in the deaths of a 4-year-old boy and his 62-year-old grandmother. Authorities reported that an explosion dislodged a tube connected to the hyperbaric chamber, leading to a significant blast and flash fire, as noted by CBS.