The Detroit News
DETROIT — Four people have been arrested in connection with an explosion inside a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber at a Troy medical facility that killed a five-year-old boy who was inside.
Troy Police arrested four people Monday morning in connection with the Jan. 31 explosion at the Oxford Center in Troy, said Lt. Ben Hancock. He said their identities and the charges against them would be revealed at their arraignments Tuesday in Troy’s 52-4 District Court.
Thomas Cooper of Royal Oak was inside the chamber at its facility on Kirts Boulevard for an appointment when the explosion happened. Firefighters and police contained the blaze quickly after arriving on the scene and extracted Thomas, who was later pronounced dead.
Thomas’ mother was standing near the hyperbaric chamber at the time of the explosion and her arms were injured, according to police and fire officials. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Troy Fire Department and Thomas’ family has hired the Fieger Law Firm.
The Oxford Center was founded in 2008 in South Lyon, according to its website. It also has a location in Brighton and offers a range of therapies, including physical therapy; occupational therapy; applied behavioral analysis, a type of therapy for autism spectrum disorder; and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Hyperbaric chambers contain 100% oxygen, which is up to three times more than air in a normal room. As a result, the environment inside the chambers is extremely combustible.
After the explosion, authorities didn’t disclose why Thomas was getting treatment.
©2025 The Detroit News.
Visit detroitnews.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
