Three People Critically Injured in Calif. Drug Lab Fire
Source San Jose Mercury News (California)
TRACY -- Three people are in critical condition after a makeshift drug lab exploded in an apartment complex Friday night, police said.
Firefighters and police responded to a 9:01 p.m. call reporting an explosion and fire at Paradise Apartments at 1441 Parker Ave., and evacuated all surrounding residences, Sgt. Tony Sheneman said.
Two men and a woman suffered major injuries, including extensive burns on 90 percent of their bodies, Sheneman said. Those injured, whose names have not been released, were transported to UC Davis Medical Center's burn unit.
No other injuries were reported, authorities said.
No arrests have been made, but the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office may charge the trio with manufacturing a controlled substance, pending completion of a police investigation, Sheneman said.
Investigators determined the explosion was caused by a drug lab used to convert marijuana into butane honey oil, police said.
Police said that heat and butane are used in the dangerous conversion process, which can result in an explosion when there is a combination of an open flame and improper ventilation.
Tracy police are being assisted in the investigation and on-site cleanup by the San Joaquin County Metro Narcotic Task Force and the state Department Justice and Office of Emergency Services.
Contact Chris De Benedetti at 510-353-7011. Follow him at Twitter.com/cdebenedetti .
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