Oklahoma man charged with murder after extraction plant blast kills two

An Oklahoma man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following a large explosion at a marijuana extraction facility that killed two employees and damaged surrounding businesses, prosecutors said Monday.

Ryan Bassham, 35, turned himself in over the weekend in connection with Thursday's blast at Solos Extracts near Tulsa. The explosion, which occurred around 1 a.m., partially tore the roof from a building, crumpled doors, and scattered debris across an industrial park.

Bassham was booked into a Tulsa jail and released after posting a $2 million bond. Court records do not list an attorney for him, and phone numbers for him and the business could not be immediately located.

The two victims, Michael Newman and Stephen Scott, both worked for Bassham, according to Adam Jones, spokesman for the Tulsa County district attorney's office. Prosecutors believe the employees were unlawfully manufacturing hazardous chemicals that led to the explosion.

Court records indicate a fire marshal had told authorities the business was seeking an updated marijuana license and narcotics registration. Medical marijuana is legal in Oklahoma.

According to court documents, Newman told a paramedic en route to the hospital that the area had not been well ventilated and that the explosion occurred after he unplugged something. He was conscious when paramedics arrived but later died at the hospital.

No one else was harmed in the blast, but multiple nearby businesses were damaged. Investigators believe Bassham bought Solos Extracts earlier this year. A fire marshal who inspected the facility in January found an outdated fire suppression system and equipment commonly used in marijuana manufacturing. After the explosion, the marshal found large amounts of liquid propane and other hazardous materials that were not present in January.

The owner of a neighboring marijuana manufacturing business told police he had spoken with Bassham earlier this year after noticing high levels of carbon dioxide on a building sensor, describing feeling lightheaded when he walked into the building.