MARCH 24, 2015
REDDING, CALIFORNIA
Almost a year later, apartments on Lawrence Road in Redding
are still not livable after a butane honey oil lab exploded causing flames to
destroy multiple apartments.
"The damage that was created within this unit was very
significant," said Patrick O'Conner, a fire investigator with the Redding
Fire Department.
O'Conner said the fire department is responding to more
fires caused by butane honey oil labs than before.
"They are more prevalent specifically in Northern
California and in the Northstate we see a lot of marijuana that's legal, where
we wouldn't see it on the East Coast or the Midwest so, because it is legal you
are going to see a more prevalent use of it," O'Conner said. Colorado has also seen an increase in butane explosions and fires due to the legalization of marihuana in that state.
The danger is behind closed doors, O'Conner explained. Honey
oil is made with butane, a highly explosive chemical that often ignites during
the process.
"People get burned very badly. It's a permanent injury
that sometimes takes a lifetime to overcome," O'Conner shared.
Fires caused by a butane honey oil lab can be prevented
according to O'Conner. He said it takes the community to be aware of dangerous
surroundings.
O'Conner said to look for warning signs such as a similar
smell to propane, large amounts of butane canisters and report any criminal
activity.
"It will ultimately affect you. It's a catastrophic
event when these things explode and catch on fire," O'Conner said.