The owner of a Michigan business that exploded in March has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after a canister from the blast hit and killed a 19-year-old standing a quarter-mile away. Noor Kestou, the owner of Select Distributors, was arrested at JFK Airport as he attempted to leave the country on a one-way ticket to Hong Kong. The warehouse was a distributor for vape pens and smoke shop items, and contained illegally stored butane and nitrous oxide canisters. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but investigators are looking into the possibility of human involvement. The ATF is leading the ongoing investigation into the explosion.
Kestou had been cooperative with police until they found out his passport was scanned on April 20, after which they quickly authorized his arrest. He was brought back to Michigan and pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing. Kestou is out of jail on a $500,000 cash bond with conditions that include wearing a tether, surrendering his passport, not possessing weapons, and not leaving the state. If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Turner Lee Salter, the 19-year-old victim, was at a nearby car wash when canisters rained down on the community during the explosion. The local fire department spent over a week monitoring and extinguishing various fires and explosions at the warehouse.
The intense fire caused significant damage to the scene, making it difficult for investigators to determine the cause of the explosion. The EPA has started the cleanup process, securing over 3,100 canisters of nitrous in containers that have strict transportation requirements. Kestou’s lawyer did not respond to requests for comment on the charges against his client. Despite the ongoing investigation, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of human involvement in starting the fire at the warehouse. Kestou’s departure attempt with a one-way ticket to Hong Kong raised suspicions and led to his arrest. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning the loss of the young victim who was tragically killed by the flying canister from the blast.
Kestou’s arrest and subsequent charges have brought attention to the dangers of storing illegal substances and canisters in warehouses. The explosion at the warehouse not only resulted in tragic loss of life but also caused extensive damage to the surrounding area. The local fire department’s efforts to contain and extinguish the fires and explosions were hampered by the intensity of the blaze. The clean-up process undertaken by the EPA reflects the need to ensure that hazardous materials are properly handled and stored to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The prosecution of Kestou for involuntary manslaughter highlights the accountability that business owners and individuals have in ensuring the safety of their premises and operations to protect the community from such devastating consequences.
The legal proceedings against Kestou underscore the gravity of the situation and the responsibility that business owners bear in maintaining secure and compliant operations. The conditions of his release on bond reflect the seriousness of the charges and the need for strict monitoring of his movements and actions. The ongoing investigation by the ATF and local authorities aims to ascertain the cause of the explosion and any potential human involvement in the incident. The community continues to mourn the loss of Turner Lee Salter, whose life was tragically cut short by the explosion. The efforts to secure and clean up the hazardous materials from the warehouse demonstrate the importance of proper storage and disposal of dangerous substances to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future. The legal process surrounding the explosion will serve to bring justice for the victim and the community affected by this tragic event.
