Weld County investigators say an explosion and fire that injured two adults and two children at 61673 Fourth St. in Carr on Aug. 11 likely was caused by a hash oil marijuana concentrate manufacturing operation.
Levi Allen, 28, and Clayton Smith, 30, suffered severe burns to their hands and arms and were hospitalized. A 4-year-old boy suffered minor injuries. A 7-year-old boy was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.
A search warrant was executed at the home and deputies found evidence of marijuana being grown at the residence along with a posted medical marijuana permit.
Preliminary findings of the investigation indicate that some form of extraction process to produce a resinous marijuana concentrate known on the street as dabs, shatter or earwax, may have been the cause of the explosion. THC, the main intoxicant in marijuana, is highly concentrated in hash oil. The product can be smoked or applied topically. Under Colorado law, medical marijuana patients can make their own products, including extractions such as hash oil.
Home-based hash oil operations have been blamed for several house fires this year in states where marijuana for medical or recreational use is legal, including an explosion in Lakewood in February that injured four people.
The investigation is ongoing.