STEVENSVILLE, Md. – Two employees were injured, one severely, in an explosion at a cannabis extraction facility in Queen Anne’s County on Wednesday afternoon, sparking a broad emergency response and an ongoing investigation into the cause.
The blast occurred just before 2 p.m. at the PharmaCann facility, situated on Log Canoe Circle in Stevensville. Firefighting teams swiftly arrived at the scene, and fire suppression systems within the building helped limit the extent of the damage.
Authorities have highlighted that the explosion originated from an extraction booth where flammable substances like propane and butane are utilized. While the precise cause of the explosion is still under investigation, the impact prompted evacuations and temporary closures of adjacent properties to ensure public safety.
Emergency response teams from Anne Arundel and Dorchester counties, including Hazmat units, were deployed to the site to aid in controlling the situation and assessing the area for additional risks.
The injured employees received immediate medical attention. Hospital officials reported that one of the individuals sustained severe injuries, though they were not considered life-threatening. The condition of the second employee was less serious, but specific details about their injuries were not immediately disclosed.
As the clean-up and investigation continue, officials have started to tally the cost of the damages. Initial estimates suggest that the financial impact could exceed $250,000. This incident has raised concerns about safety standards at facilities that handle explosive gases and the need for rigorous enforcement of existing regulations.
Local business operations and traffic patterns around the 300 block of Log Canoe Circle were disrupted for several hours as emergency crews worked on the scene. Authorities have since been working with neighboring businesses to normalize operations and have begun discussing the future safety protocols to prevent similar incidents.
The community response has been one of concern and support for the injured workers and calls for increased oversight to ensure the safety of such operations. Local officials plan to review the incident thoroughly and possibly refine safety measures within the cannabis extraction industry, which has seen significant growth in recent years.
Queen Anne’s County officials and PharmaCann representatives have pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation, emphasizing their commitment to safety and the wellbeing of their employees. Further details about the ongoing investigation will be shared with the public as they become available, ensuring transparency and accountability moving forward.