NO CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED IN HASHISH EXPLOSION NEAR BRECKENRIDGE

Victims Remain In Denver Hospital As Red, White And Blue Fire Department
Investigates

SUMMIT COUNTY - The identities of two people severly burned in an
explosion early Sunday morning still haven't been released, but the Summit
County Sheriff's Office says they likey won't face criminal charges. Their
residence near Breckenridge is part of a legal medical marijuana grow
operation; the explosion was reportedly caused by butane in the process of
making hashish.

The names and health statuses of the burn victims aren't accessible to the
public because medical confidentiality laws are protecting the incident.
Officials say medical marijuana operations fall under so-called "HIPAA"
regulations.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Tracy LeClair said the house has been turned
over to Red, White and Blue Fire District for its own investigation.

"All information is confidential," LeClair said. "At this point no
criminal charges were filed, and there's no police investigation at this
point."

Explosive accident Sunday

Sheriff's deputies and members of Red, White and Blue Fire Department were
sent to an area just outside Breckenridge Sunday in response to a house
fire at about 2:30 a.m. Responders observed bloody footprints in the snow,
and windows, window frames, insulation and other debris scattered around
the house.

According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office, several medical marijuana
registry cards, numerous marijuana plants and four empty cases of butane
fuel canisters were found in the home after the accident. A man and a
woman were severely burned in the explosion, and a roommate brought them
to the hospital in Frisco, after which they were transferred to University
of Colorado Hospital in Denver.

The explosion likely happened because one of the residents was trying to
make hashish through a process using butane, which boils at room
temperature. The roommate said the person had made hash several times
before and usually did it in the garage. This time it was done in a
bedroom.

"The fire is still under investigation at this point," said Red, White and
Blue Fire District fire marshal Jay Nelson.

Nelson said he "believes the butane was not being used appropriately for
its intended use, and that may have contributed to this explosion."