In a shocking turn of events, the owner of a suburban Detroit business that was engulfed in flames and exploded, claiming the life of an individual, was arrested at a New York airport just as he was about to board a one-way flight to Hong Kong. Noor Noel Kestou, aged 31 and a resident of Commerce Township, was apprehended by U.S. Customs and New York Port Authority personnel at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday.

Following his arrest, Kestou was subsequently brought back to Michigan on Wednesday. The owner was charged with involuntary manslaughter and faced arraignment on Thursday. The devastating fire and explosion occurred on March 4 at a Clinton Township building that housed Goo, a distributor for the vaping industry. The site was reported to have contained over 100,000 vape pens at the time.

Investigators revealed that a shipment of butane canisters had arrived at the building a week before the explosion, with over half of the stock remaining on-site when the incident took place. Authorities also disclosed that they received information on April 20 indicating Kestou's intention to fly to Hong Kong, prompting his subsequent arrest.

Macomb County Prosecutor, Peter Lucido, addressed the press on Friday, stating, "We don't know what his ultimate goal was. Was it to stay out of the country with a wife and child here? Nobody has a crystal ball to determine who is a flight risk." Lucido went on to add, "He was a suspect from the beginning, being the owner of this business. Anyone that owns a business and something like this happens has to be considered a suspect."

The business site, Goo, had procured a township occupancy permit in September 2022, designating the 26,700-square-foot building as a retail location for a "smoke shop/vape store" specializing in vape product paraphernalia, according to the Clinton Township's Building Department.

Kestou has since been released on a $500,000 bond. Authorities confirmed his passport has been confiscated, and as a condition of his release, he is required to wear a GPS tether. A probable cause hearing has been scheduled for May 7 in Clinton Township District Court. Kestou's attorney, James Thomas, declined to comment on the case.

This shocking incident has left the community in mourning and seeking answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the explosion and fire. As the investigation unfolds, the justice system is committed to ensuring all facts are uncovered and justice is served for the victim and their loved ones.