I would image a plop, not an explosion, probably best to keep the top plate off and let the hoe vent
Discussion
What, did they dig up the clay and make a pot the day before? Is it not kiln fired in the first place? You won't get an explosion without a cavity in the clay. No clay pot would with a cavity would surive kilning. And if you blew up everyone's art projects in the kiln, you'd be out of the potters club.