Four members of the Bragg family were killed in the Dec. 30, 2023, house explosion.Photo:Don C. Bragg
Don C. Bragg
A 16-year-old Arkansas boy survived ahouse explosion in Michiganthat killed four members of his family on Saturday, authorities said.
The family, including 16-year-old Stephen Bragg, were visiting Hope’s father, Richard Pruden, 72, for the holidays when the explosion occurred, police said. As of Tuesday, Stephen was in stable condition, while Pruden remained in critical condition.
The department said foul play is not suspected, but the investigation is ongoing and “will take time.”
“Please stay clear of the area and allow investigators time and space to conduct the investigation,” police continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims.”
According toABC affiliate WXYZ, Michigan State Police fire investigators and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are helping in the investigation to determine what caused the fatal blast, which, per theDetroit Free Press,scattered debris over more than 2 acres.
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“There’s nothing left of the property,” Northfield Township Police Lt. David Powell said, according to the paper. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Now, friends are grieving their deaths and paying tribute to the family.
Northfield Township Supervisor Ken Dignan, who went to high school with Hope, told WXYZ that the 51-year-old mother was one of the smartest people he’s ever known.
“It’s heart-wrenching,” he said. “She was a very caring, loving individual."
Meanwhile,two GoFundMes have raised nearly $40,000 to support Stephen and Pruden.
“Stephen recently lost his parents, his brother, and his sister in a tragic house explosion,” one organizerwrote in one of the tributes. “Stephen had severe injuries and faces many months of recovery. I am establishing this fund to cover out-of-pocket funeral and care expenses including regular visits from long-distance family.”
The organizer added that any remaining funds will be passed along to Pruden.
source: people.com
