TWO BADLY BURNED IN EXPLOSION

Police Say Pair Were Making Hash Oil In Their Basement Before Big Blast

Two friends allegedly trying to make hash oil in a basement suite
bathroom were taken to hospital with severe burns early yesterday
after the volatile concoction blew up in their faces.

Identified as Raymond, 18, and Dylan, 20, the pair were burned when
the oil exploded about 12:15 a.m. in the 500 block of 63 Ave. N.W.,
with two other tenants sent to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Raymond's mother, Richelle, who didn't want her last name published,
was asleep in her bedroom when she was rattled by a big boom.

"I heard the boom and felt the jolt and that's what got me out of
bed," she said, adding she also suffered singed hair and burns to her
forehead while escaping.

"I went to open our basement door and it was hot, I had to actually go
get a towel to get out of the suite."

Det. Robin Greenwood of the CPS arson unit said investigators found
drug paraphernalia in the home.

Danielle Arthur was staying in the suite upstairs and saw the pair
soon after.

"They were burned big time, all over, I've been trying to get that
picture out of my head," she said.

"The skin was hanging off their arms and feet."

Wearing boxer shorts and a t-shirt at the time, Raymond suffered
severe burns to 20% of his body, including his head, arms, hands and
feet, while Dylan, clad only in boxer shorts, received burns to about
60% of his body, including his head, arms, chest, hands and feet.

Both were listed in critical condition yesterday but Richelle said
they are expected to survive.

"They brought in a plastic surgeon for the boys last night and they
removed all the dead skin off of Raymond's face, so now they're
watching for infection and stuff," she said.

Doctors expect both will have a long recovery ahead of
them.

"I asked the surgeon if he could give me some kind of a ball-park
figure and he said indefinitely," Richelle said on how long they will
be in hospital.

"With Raymond, the surgeon said he thinks his face will heal quite
well.

"They're more worried about his hands and his arms right now because
they were so badly damaged and blistered, they don't know if he's
going to get feeling back."

Despite his injuries, Richelle said Raymond is taking responsibility
for his actions.

"The first thing he said to me was 'Mom, where's my cat? Is my cat
OK?' "

"Then he said, 'Mom, I know I really screwed up, I'm sorry.'"