[kellyhound]

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, a massive industrial explosion rocked Kittyhawk Inc. (also known as Kittyhawk Products), an aerospace and defense metal supplier located in the Canby Industrial Park in Oregon.

The blast occurred around 3:45 p.m. at 301 S. Redwood Street when one of two enormous underground argon gas tanks used for "hot isostatic pressing", a process involving extreme heat and pressure to treat metal parts, failed and exploded.

The explosion blew the roof off the facility and sent a volcano-like cloud of debris into the air. Large metal fragments and concrete were scattered hundreds of feet away, landing in nearby residential areas and on roads.

There were no fatalities. Of the three employees on-site, sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized but has since been released.

A Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation was ordered for approximately 100 homes within a 600-foot radius.

This order remained in place until Wednesday morning to allow a second, dangerously hot tank to cool down.

At least one home was declared uninhabitable after a heavy piece of debris crashed through the roof and ceiling.

Other residents reported the shockwave was strong enough to shake houses blocks away.

The Canby Fire District and structural engineers have declared the Kittyhawk building structurally unsound.

Firefighters confirmed that no hazardous materials were released, as argon is an inert gas.

The exact cause of the tank failure remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal and company officials.

[rohmell]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

There were no fatalities.

It was pretty noble of that gas, as to cause no fatalities.

[Mr.NoCredit]

At least there’s insurance in place to cover some damages. It would really suck to be hanging out at home and have your roof caved in by some large piece of concrete or coming home after a days work to find the police won’t let you in to your own home due to severe damage.

[William May]

Some kind of Pirate operation.

That's why it's called ARRRRGHon!

Shiver me timbers!

[kbt3168]

Interesting as Argon gas is not flammable.

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by kbt3168 ↗

Interesting as Argon gas is not flammable.

Nowhere it's mentioned that was the cause or it caused fire. It was the pressure build-up so maybe the pressure relief valve failed. pressure can reach up to 30,000 psi.

[DarkSighted]

Yep, whenever I get a hot isostatic pressing, I make sure to have that shit done in my sub-basement where nobody (else) will get hurt.

[kbt3168]