Operations & Training

CA Firefighters Put Out Fire from Blast at Suspected Drug Lab

May 8, 2020

Two people were injured and debris was sent flying over a four-block area after an explosion that led to a fire at a warehouse where suspected illegal “honey oil” was being extracted from marijuana.

By Harry Harris

Source East Bay Times

Firefighters battled a blaze early Thursday following an explosion at a where suspected illegal “honey oil” was being extracted from marijuana.

SAN LEANDRO, CA—An explosion and fire at a warehouse early Thursday where suspected illegal “honey oil” was being extracted from marijuana, injured two people, resulted in four arrests and sent debris flying over a four-block area, authorities said.

The explosion and fire, apparently caused by butane used in the extraction process, were reported at around 4:40 a.m. at the warehouse in the 1700 block of Timothy Drive near Williams Street just south of Interstate 880.

The explosion blew off a portion of the roof of the several-thousand square foot structure, scattering debris over four blocks, Alameda County Fire Department Capt. Brian Centoni said.

Authorities said two men inside the warehouse at the time were injured, including one who suffered a broken arm. They were among the four men arrested by police on charges relating to the illegal production of concentrated cannabis, police Lt. Ted Henderson said.

Their names have not been released.

No firefighters or police officers who responded were injured.

The fire was under control in less than an hour and firefighters and police were expected to remain on the scene for several hours.

Honey oil, or hash oil as it is also known, is a powerful substance extracted from marijuana and gets it name because it can look like honey.

Henderson said labs like the one in the warehouse “are extremely dangerous because the process involves extracting a concentrated for of THC from marijuana using butane. This volatile gas is extremely flammable and can cause an instant explosion from a single spark, such as static electricity.

“People need to understand this process can kill or seriously injure those who are anywhere near these types of operations. This morning the four individuals who were arrested for this operation are extremely lucky to be alive,” Henderson said.

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