TROY, Michigan – A tragic accident at The Oxford Center has left the community in shock after 5-year-old Thomas Cooper was killed in a fire that broke out during his ADHD and sleep apnea treatment.
The incident happened on January 31, 2025, while Thomas was inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Investigators say a spark ignited the highly oxygen-rich environment, turning the chamber into a fireball within seconds.
Thomas’s mother, who was watching nearby, desperately tried to save her son but was unable to open the chamber in time. She suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital, but Thomas died at the scene.
Following an investigation, police arrested four people connected to the center, including the director, a manager, the safety officer, and the chamber operator. They are facing charges ranging from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter for severe negligence in operating the equipment.
Thomas’s family has filed a lawsuit against the treatment center, calling for justice and stronger safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.