Fatal blast at Ardmore asphalt plant under investigation

The identity of a worker killed at an explosion at an asphalt plant in Ardmore, Oklahoma has yet to be released.

The Friday morning blast and fire occurred at Asphalt Express around 10 a.m. and the cause remains under investigation.

Jason Woydziak, the Ardmore Fire Department Training Officer told reporters a building at the back of the lot had multiple storage tanks.

“We’re not sure if the fire started at the storage tanks or at the tractor trailer at this time,” he said. “But the explosion everybody heard in town was one of the storage barrels.”

Firefighters spent nearly two hours before getting the fire under control.

No one else was injured in the fire. Asphalt Express is a company formed in 2005 and is billed as a bulk liquid transportation firm. With a fleet of 65 plus power units and trailers, it specializes in all kinds of asphalt, fuel oil, carbon black oil, spent lube and crude oil. In 2011, the company created a tank farm blending facility and in 2020, the firm created a 60-acre fully-equipped rail terminal.