A suspected honey oil manufacturing operation led to an explosion and fire at a residence on South 5th Street Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 18, police said.
Lebanon Police officers responded at approximately 2:01 p.m. to an apartment complex at 685 South 5th Street after a report of a loud explosion and possible injuries to a female subject. Lebanon Fire District personnel also responded and assisted.
When officers arrived on the scene, they learned that a female subject had come running from the apartment with her hair on fire. She was transported to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital by Lebanon Fire District, and was later transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital for treatment related to burns on her body.
A male subject who was also in the residence at the time of the explosion was not injured, police said.
Due to the fact that this is an ongoing investigation, Lebanon Police Department is not releasing the names of the involved parties at this time.
Officers discovered that a wall at the apartment had been blown away from the
foundation during the explosion.
Lebanon Fire District, in conjunction with the apartment complex property management team, checked the complex for structural integrity and spoke with neighboring residents. Officers learned from individuals that reported the incident that the explosion likely occurred from the use of a butane canister.
During the investigation, it was learned that the residence contained marijuana, butane, and other items indicative of possible manufacture of butane honey oil. Butane can be highly explosive if large quantities are in the open and ignited by a secondary source.
Detectives were granted a search warrant for the residence and detectives found evidence confirming that butane honey oil was manufactured at the residence.
Police said there is no immediate threat to the public. Anyone with information
regarding the case is encouraged to contact Lebanon Police Detective Timothy Trahan at (541) 258-4318.