TROY, Mich. — Four individuals have been arrested following a tragic explosion inside a hyperbaric chamber that resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy, Thomas Cooper, in Troy, Michigan. The explosion occurred on January 31, 2025, at a facility known as the Oxford Center, and also left the boy’s mother injured. The arrests were confirmed by the Troy Police Department on Monday, with the suspects scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday.
In the wake of the explosion, the Oxford Center issued a statement expressing disappointment over the charges filed against the facility’s personnel. The center indicated that it had fully cooperated with multiple investigations following the incident but was surprised by the timing of the charges. The center’s representatives claimed that typical procedures following a fire-related accident had not yet been completed, and the cause of the explosion remained unclear. Despite these ongoing investigations, the Michigan Attorney General’s office moved forward with the charges.
“Our highest priority every day is the safety and well-being of the children and families we serve,” the statement read. “This continues during this process.”
Authorities have yet to release detailed findings about the cause of the explosion, but they noted that hyperbaric chambers are filled with 100% oxygen, which makes them highly combustible. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety protocols in place at the Oxford Center and the broader regulatory framework surrounding hyperbaric treatments.
Attorney James Harrington, representing the family of the deceased, has stated that his office is preparing to file a lawsuit against the center, seeking answers about what led to the child’s death. Harrington has expressed concerns about the lack of regulation in Michigan’s hyperbaric therapy industry, highlighting the absence of sufficient scientific evidence supporting many of the claims about the health benefits of hyperbaric treatment.
“This industry in Michigan is unregulated,” Harrington said. “There’s not a lot of science to back these claims that are being made as to what ailments and problems can actually be fixed or bettered by this hyperbaric treatment.”
The incident has already drawn attention to the safety of hyperbaric chambers, particularly those used in non-medical settings, and the need for stricter oversight in the industry. As investigations continue, the community remains shocked and saddened by the loss of a young life in what was meant to be a safe, therapeutic environment.
The ongoing legal proceedings and public scrutiny may lead to significant changes in how hyperbaric treatments are regulated and monitored in Michigan.
