Explosion kills fire department official, Lt. Jon Miner of Springfield Township

A Springfield Township Hearth Division lieutenant was killed in an explosion exterior his dwelling Sunday morning, officers stated.

Lt. Jonathan Miner, 50, was reportedly utilizing a grinder and a tank whereas engaged on a undertaking at his dwelling within the 7000 block of Ridgewood Drive when the explosion occurred. Springfield Township Hearth Division paramedics — his colleagues — together with Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the house round 10:30 a.m., discovered Miner within the driveway and took him to an space hospital the place he died from his accidents, officers stated.

A press launch from Hearth Chief Matthew Covey stated: “It’s with nice unhappiness that the Springfield Township Hearth Division declares the sudden and tragic passing of Lieutenant Jonathan Miner on the age of fifty.

“Sunday morning at 10:32 a.m., our division was dispatched to a report of a traumatic damage after ‘one thing simply blew up’ whereas a person was engaged on a undertaking in his driveway. The affected person was confirmed to be an off-duty Lieutenant Miner.”

Miner was a 30-year veteran of the division and “served the residents of Springfield Township with honor, braveness and compassion,” Covey acknowledged, including, “He was not solely a revered firefighter, but in addition a faithful husband, father and proud ‘dad’ whose life revolved round his household. Lt. Miner is understood for his dedication, his humor and his ever-present smile and has by no means let his division or neighborhood down. His presence and real care made him certainly one of a sort, and he will likely be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of realizing him.

“He leaves behind his loving spouse, household and a firefighter household who will ceaselessly maintain his reminiscence of their hearts. We ask the neighborhood to maintain them in your ideas and prayers and respect their privateness throughout this very tough time.”

“Lieutenant Miner’s service, friendship and coronary heart won’t ever be forgotten. His legacy will dwell on within the lives he touched and in the neighborhood he so proudly served.

“Relaxation assured, brother, we are going to take it from right here.”

Help for Miner’s household

Fundraisers through GoFundMe And The Garden Foundation had been set as much as assist Miner’s household.

As acknowledged on The Yard Basis web site: “He devoted his life to serving others. Now it is our flip to assist his household.

“(Miner) was greater than a firefighter; he was a loving husband, a faithful father, and a steadfast brother to each member of his division. He was the one you may rely on, the one who led from the entrance, and the one whose presence made each scenario higher. Immediately, that presence was gone.

“Now his household faces the unimaginable process of dealing with a future with out their hero. Not solely are they coping with super grief, however they’re additionally confronted with the surprising monetary burdens that include such a sudden loss. It’s our flip to reply the decision… Allow us to present this household that they aren’t alone. Allow us to embrace them with the assist of the neighborhood that Jonathon so faithfully beloved and served.”

Feedback from these mourning Miner’s dying describe him as somebody who by no means hesitated to assist, “actually one of many good ones,” form and real.

To donate by means of The Yard Basis, go to https://tinyurl.com/4sbvavty. The Yard Basis is a 501(c)(3) charitable group. Go to the GoFundMe donation web page at https://tinyurl.com/ywk8kv2c.

The investigation into the explosion continues.

Initially revealed: October 20, 2025 at 11:44 am EDT