Sand Springs Shop Owner Restarts Work After Fatal Blast

September 18, 2026 - 08:24

Three weeks after a deadly explosion tore through the Morrow-Gill Business Complex in Sand Springs, screen-printing business owner Brant Blackburn has relocated and resumed operations after a tense wait to recover his equipment.

The blast, which investigators have linked to a gas leak, killed one person and injured several others. It leveled parts of the complex and left nearby businesses scrambling to assess the damage. For Blackburn, the days that followed were filled with uncertainty. He did not know whether his presses, screens, and supplies had survived the fire and collapse.

Once crews cleared the site and allowed limited access, Blackburn learned that much of his core equipment could be salvaged. He spent several days hauling out what remained, cleaning off debris, and testing machines that had sat exposed to smoke and water. Some items were a total loss, but the essential gear still worked.

He found a new space a few blocks away and reopened this week. Customers have already started bringing in orders, many of them offering support after hearing about the loss.

Blackburn said the transition has been exhausting, but staying closed was never an option. He has employees who depend on the shop and a client base that expects orders to be ready on time. Starting over in a new location means new wiring, new layouts, and a long list of small problems to solve.

City officials continue to investigate the cause of the explosion. Meanwhile, other displaced tenants at the complex are still searching for permanent homes. For Blackburn, the focus is simpler: keep the presses running and rebuild one job at a time.