EARLY MORNING EXPLOSION RENDERS SOUTH-SIDE HOME UNFIT TO LIVE IN

Hash-Oil Extraction Operation Cause Of Devastation, Police Say

A south-end home has been declared unfit for human habitation after
an explosion in the basement early Friday.

Police said the explosion was apparently caused by someone in the
home extracting hash oil with butane.

A 31-year-old man has been charged with the production of a
controlled substance and arson.

Visible damage outside the home where the explosion took place was
limited, but inside the blast knocked down ceilings and basement
walls. Vapours wafted up to the main floor and ignited, causing further damage.

The blast woke residents on 78th Avenue near 107th Street shortly
before 2 a.m. Neighbours who live next door said it sounded more like
someone was breaking into their house. There were three people inside
the home at the time of the blast. "It's amazing nobody was hurt,"
said Sgt. Jonathan Coughlan with the gang and Drug section said.