Image source Jamie Birch, ABC News: Flames shoot up over 100 m into the sky after the explosion at Solos Extracts cannabis extraction facility in Oklahoma.
What happened at the Sand Springs facility?
6 News, Oklahoma reports that investigators say the explosion happened during an active cannabis ‘manufacturing event’ at Solos Extracts on 27 August 2026 and may have been triggered by propane gas.
The Sand Springs fire marshal said he conducted a certificate of compliance inspection at the business in January 2026. During that inspection, the fire marshal observed an extraction booth commonly used in marijuana manufacturing operations, an outdated fire suppression system and personal effects inside the business. The fire marshal instructed the business to have a licensed contractor disconnect the extraction booth until the facility could be reinspected.
After the explosion, the fire marshal reported finding a large amount of liquid propane, along with other equipment and hazardous materials that were not present during the January inspection. The fire marshal believes the additional equipment and hazardous materials were installed after the January inspection.
Investigators also reported that one of the men killed in the explosion, Newman, made statements while being transported to the hospital. EMS reported Newman said the area was not ventilated enough and that another person was still inside the building. Newman also reportedly said he unplugged something and the building then exploded.
So What Actually Caused the Explosion?
Futurism reports that one explanation being offered up — though not officially confirmed — is that the explosion traces back to the use of butane to produce THC concentrate.
One of the more popular methods by which the cannabis industry produces concentrated products like rosin is through a process known as butane hash oil (BHO) extraction.
Basically, producers use liquid butane as a solvent, pouring it over raw plants at temperatures in the ballpark of -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Because liquid butane has an exceptionally low boiling point — 30.02 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact — the solvent can be easily cooked off after mixing with the plant matter, leaving just the dissolved cannabinoids behind.
Though this is said to be one of the most straightforward methods for concentrating cannabis, the use of highly flammable butane makes it one of the most dangerous.
As the publisher Technology Networks explained in a blog post on BHO extraction, a “faulty gasket or improper check could lead to disaster.”
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