Hartshorne man arrested after dishwasher explosion using Tannerite | News | fox23.com

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PITTSBURG COUNTY, Okla. — One man is in custody after starting a dishwasher explosion by using Tannerite.

According to court documents, between October 20, 2024 through June 26, 2025 Kelly Van Morck committed the “crimes of User of controlled substance in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(3) and 924(a)(8), Storing explosives in a manner not in conformity with federal regulations, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 842(j), User of controlled substances in possession of explosives, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 842(i0(3), and Possession of an NFA weapon not registered to them in the NFRTR, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d) and unlawfully engaging the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in explosive materials without a license, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 842(a)(1).”

Van Morck was arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Court documents claim ATF was notified by the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) that an explosion had taken place at the home of Kelly Van Morck on October 20, 2024 in Hartshorne, Oklahoma.

Van Morck was taken to the hospital in Tulsa via a life flight and was treated for third degree burns and multiple other injuries sustained during the explosion, which happened on his porch, read the court documents.

ATF, PCSO, Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Bomb Squad, Hartshorne Fire Department (HFD), and the Hartshorne Police Department (HPD) all responded to the explosion.

Authorities spoke with Van Morck's wife, Zoelyn, who said Van Morck “placed an old dishwasher in a field on their property and mixed Tannerite to blow the dishwasher up.” She continued to explain that her husband had blown up other items with Tannerite and typically used a stick or drill to mix the chemical that made the explosive.

“...Tannerite is a binary explosive that consists of an oxidizer and a fuel, such as ammonium nitrate and a fuel generally a proprietary blend which usually includes aluminum, respectively,” read the court documents. “Tannerite is commercially sold with the two components separated and are not considered as an explosive. However, once the two components are combined, the resulting mixture is then an explosive material that is regulated by the ATF.”

Zoelyn said she heard a loud explosion and a lot of screaming. Her husband opened the door and she grabbed a fire extinguisher to put out the grass fire and Van Morck hosed himself off with a water hose.

Court documents state Zoelyn was not sure what kind of chemicals her husband used and that there were more unknown chemicals inside of their house.

ATF found several “laboratories” inside Van Morck’s house, including in his garage, living room, and workshop.

This is an arrest, not a conviction. FOX23 will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

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