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Tulsa area explosion linked to marijuana extraction facility
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Ryan Bassham, 35, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following a deadly explosion at his marijuana extraction facility near Tulsa, Oklahoma, which killed two employees and damaged nearby businesses.
- The explosion occurred early Thursday morning at Solos Extracts, where prosecutors believe the employees were unlawfully manufacturing hazardous chemicals that caused the blast.
- The two victims, Michael Newman and Stephen Scott, were employees of Bassham, and Newman reported poor ventilation and unplugging equipment just before the explosion.
- Investigators found outdated fire suppression systems and large amounts of hazardous materials, including liquid propane, at the facility, which was seeking updated marijuana licensing and narcotics registration.
- Nearby businesses were damaged in the explosion, and concerns had previously been raised about high carbon dioxide levels at the facility, causing health symptoms in a neighboring business owner.
