TROY, Mich. — A horrific incident unfolded at a medical facility in Troy, Michigan on Friday morning when a hyperbaric chamber exploded, leading to the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy and injuring his mother. The explosion took place around 8 a.m. at the Oxford Center, where emergency responders found the boy dead inside the chamber.

The child was reportedly receiving treatment in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, designed to provide pure oxygen under higher than normal pressure for various medical conditions. His mother was standing nearby when the explosion occurred, sustaining injuries to her arms, though her injuries are not considered serious. No other injuries were reported among the medical staff present according to ABC News.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Troy Fire Department Lt. Keith Young explained that hyperbaric chambers operate at much higher levels of oxygen concentration, making them particularly flammable. “The presence of such a high amount of oxygen in a pressurized environment can make it extremely combustible,” he said at a press conference. “This is very uncommon, so we’re not sure what led up to it,” Young added according to AP News.

The Oxford Center, which has been providing hyperbaric therapy for over 15 years, expressed its condolences, emphasizing the priority of safety for the children in their care. “We do not know why or how this happened and will participate in all investigations,” the facility stated.

The medical facility has since been closed, and multiple state agencies are expected to assess safety protocols as part of the ongoing investigation into this tragic event reported by India Times.

Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Troy Police Department as they work to uncover the facts surrounding this heartbreaking accident.