Child killed in hyperbaric chamber explosion at Oakland County healthcare facility

TROY, Mich. – A 5-year-old boy from Royal Oak was killed in an explosion while receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy at a healthcare facility in Oakland County, according to the fire department.

First responders were called to reports of the explosion shortly before 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at the Oxford Center in Troy. They said the 5-year-old boy was dead when first responders arrived at the scene.

The boy’s mother was standing near the chamber when it exploded and she received injuries to her arms. The department said the fire was brought under control within minutes of the department arriving and there was no extensive damage to the facility itself.

According to the FDA, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is known for treating scuba and deep-sea divers affected by the rapid change in pressure around them. The FDA said it can also be used to treat other health problems, including carbon monoxide poisoning and diabetic foot ulcers. The increased air pressure in the chamber helps the lungs collect more oxygen, which can get more oxygen to the tissues that need, and help the body heal and fight certain infections.

The FDA recommends those who need treatment get it at an accredited facility saying, “Explosions and fires have occurred in HBOT chambers that have not been reviewed by the FDA and are located at unaccredited facilities.” The FDA said the facility should be accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. According to the UHMS map, only two locations in Michigan have been accredited and they are in Grand Rapids and Niles.

The Oxford Center opened in 2008. The fire department said the facility will be closed “until further notice” while they continue to investigate the explosion.