A deadly explosion at a business complex in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, killed two people Thursday night. The blast damaged at least 25 nearby businesses, and investigators say the fire started inside a THC extraction facility.
The Incident
Sand Springs police and fire crews rushed to the Morrow Gill business complex around 1:30 a.m. The blast was so strong it blew out roofs, caved in walls and twisted heavy metal beams. Business owners are still waiting to see if anything is savable. First responders saved one survivor — a pet rabbit owned by one of the tenants.
Donovan Ruffin, who lives a mile from the explosion, said he first thought it was a bad thunderstorm. “It was around 1:20, 1:25. It was just a big boom. Me and my wife woke up at the same time. As soon as I heard it I woke up… I have a window by my bed, so I saw a flash,” Ruffin said.
Butane Suspected
A local dispensary said making concentrates often uses hazardous chemicals like butane, which requires special explosion-proof rooms. Neighboring shops along the strip said they believe this extract shop has been using butane. According to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), companies using butane must have a hazardous processor license. OMMA did not directly answer whether this location had that permit, but confirmed multiple licensed medical cannabis businesses operate in the complex.
Investigation
Todd Enzbrenner, deputy chief of the Sand Springs Police Department, said investigators are reviewing the facility’s license status. “We’re trying to figure out the status of their licenses and what they could and couldn’t do, what they should be doing and didn’t do. Those are the questions that have to be answered,” he said. Police said state and federal agencies are now treating the area as a potential crime scene to make sure everything was done legally. Due to the damage, a majority of the businesses in the strip won’t be able to reopen anytime soon.
Source:
Explosion at THC extraction facility kills 2 — Fox19 / KTUL
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