Explosion in Canby Injures Employee and Triggers Evacuation

An explosion occurred at a commercial building in Canby on Tuesday night, leaving one employee injured. This prompted officials to issue a Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation order for the nearby area, as reported by Canby Fire.

The incident took place at Kittyhawk Products on S. Redwood Street shortly after 3:30 p.m. The company specializes in heat-treating metal parts under high pressure.

According to Canby Fire Chief Matt Dale, one of the two tanks used for the heat treatment exploded, resulting in the roof being blown off the building. Although they don’t anticipate another explosion, there’s still a risk that the second tank might also blow, leading officials to maintain the evacuation order until at least 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Dale mentioned it could take 12 to 16 hours for the second tank to cool down, at which point they will reassess the situation to consider lifting the evacuation order.

Dale asked for understanding from residents who had to evacuate, noting that the Red Cross would assist those displaced.

At the time, three employees were present at the facility. One person sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital. The explosion caused significant damage to the building and affected nearby structures as well.

Fortunately, no hazardous materials were released into the environment. “Overall, we’re looking at minor injuries, no loss of life, and property damage that can be repaired. So, in a way, this is a very successful outcome considering the seriousness of the situation,” Dale commented. He also emphasized that emergency protocols worked as intended.

Video Captures Moment of Explosion

A security camera video from a neighboring business recorded the explosion, showing the building’s roof erupting into a large brown cloud, similar to a volcanic eruption, with debris flying into the sky. A sizeable metal piece could be seen falling onto the road nearby, with other fragments landing in the area. The sound of the blast was reported to be incredibly loud.

In the wake of the explosion, people rushed toward the damaged building. Dale explained that the tanks are massive, roughly two stories high and 15 feet in diameter, nestled in an underground pit. The blast propelled the debris straight up and ignited fires inside the building. By shortly before 7 p.m., Dale noted that most of those fires had been extinguished.

Updates will follow as more information becomes available.