Butane honey oil lab explosion injures two
THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
Two people suffered major burns Friday night in a butane honey oil lab explosion in southeast Bakersfield, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
A third person at the scene was not injured.
At about 10:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Price Street after reports of a structure fire and large explosion, a sheriff's news release said. They found a residence partially engulfed in flames and with major structural damage.
Two of the occupants were taken to a local hospital with major burns.
Firefighters and arson investigators determined a butane honey oil lab explosion caused the fire. No arrests have been made in the case, officials said Monday, which is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office, California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team and the Bakersfield Fire Department.
Honey oil, which is commonly referred to as "wax," is a highly concentrated form of THC, the chemical responsible for marijuana's psychological effects.
The potent drug is extracted by burning down large quantities of cannabis in a chemical process that turns it into a wax-like substance.
Last Thursday, the Sheriff's Office discovered a sophisticated butane honey oil lab in Oildale and later arrested three:
• 29-year-old Tyler Martino on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, and maintaining a residence for the purpose of drug sales;
• 32-year-old David Dorsett on suspicion of felony child endangerment, possession of marijuana for sale, and possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana; and
• 28-year-old Desarae Matney on suspicion of felony child endangerment, possession of marijuana for sale, and possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana.
Anyone with information about the newest case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 861-3110 or Secret Witness at 322-4040.