REPUBLIC TOWNSHIP – A Wisconsin man was injured in an explosion Saturday in Marquette County. The Michigan State Police say John Groschophf, 60, of Bristol, Wisconsin, was mixing chemicals from a product called Tannerite when the explosion occurred.
Groschophf and two teenagers were target shooting in a gravel pit near Chief Lake in Republic Township Saturday when the explosion occurred. Groschophf was mixing the chemicals at the time. A 911 call was received at 1:28 p.m. at Marquette County Central Dispatch.
Groschophf suffered sever burns to his hands and torso. The two teens were standing near the explosion. One teen suffered received damage to his ears from the explosions. The other juvenile was wearing ear protection and was not injured.
The teens transported Groschophf on an ORV to an awaiting ambulance on Fence River Road. He was transported to Marquette General Hospital.
The Michigan State Police from the Negaunee Post determined the explosion to be an accident.