CLEARLAKE OAKS >> Detectives with the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit are investigating whether a fire late last week, which left one man injured, was caused by a butane honey oil lab.
The incident occurred Friday, April 20 at 4:40 p.m. at the 10000 block of Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Corey Paulich. When deputies arrived, Paulich said, they were directed to the kitchen area where they learned that a fire and small explosion had occurred.
Inside, deputies found a plastic bottle with marijuana inside, a can of butane, and a shattered glass dish with “sticky substance that appeared to be concentrated cannabis.”
“Based on the items located it was determined that butane was being used to extract concentrated cannabis from marijuana inside the residence,” Paulich said in a prepared statement.
Authorities identified the man who was injured as a result of the explosion and fire as 34-year-old Michael James Hoisington of Clearlake Oaks.
The man was airlifted to an out-of-county hospital for treatment and may face a felony charge for a violation of Health and Safety Code by the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Paulich explained.
