MARCH 24, 2015
CITY OF SHASTA LAKE, CALIFORNIA
An explosion rattles a City of Shasta Lake apartment
complex. Sheriff’s deputies are tying it to illegal drug activity in one
apartment.
Shasta County Sheriff’s Deputies said loud blasts were heard
around 4:45 Monday evening, coming from the apartment of Michael Miller, 39,
and his 15-year-old son. Both men were injured when an alleged butane honey oil
lab exploded inside a bedroom in their apartment.
According to Shasta Lake Fire Protection District officials,
the father-son duo suffered moderate but non-life threatening injuries in the
blast. Fire and drug investigators determined the cause of the fire was related
to drug activity. Narcotics task force agents said the two were, “possibly
involved in the illegal conversion or extraction of concentrated cannabis using
butane.”
A smoky, charred room was all that was left minutes later
when fire officials put the fire out at the Tara Hills Apartment Complex at
4555 Riddle Rd.
It was a big enough boom, from the chemical blast, to catch
14-year-old neighbor Chloe Walker by surprise.
"I was on my couch watching TV and I heard like a glass
sound that broke,” she said.
The teen said she wasn't too worried, until someone pounded
on her door.
"It's a neighbor. He comes over saying, ‘oh, there's a
fire next door, you got to get out.’ So I wake up my sister and I try to grab
all the things I can and I get out,” Walker said.
The sisters got out safely, as did everyone living nearby.
Miller and his son were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Sheriff’s officials believe, “vapors from the flammable solvent they were using
ignited,” thus resulting in the explosion and fire.
There was major damage to the apartment, and it was a
major danger risk for those who witnessed it all.
"It was pretty scary, because I thought I'd be prepared
for it. But when time came for it, I was not prepared at all,” said Walker.
Shasta County Sheriff’s Sergeant Logan Stonehouse said
Michael Miller and his son are facing charges for manufacturing a controlled
substance. However, he says the narcotics task force could file more charges as
they look further into the case.