- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Sheriff’s office investigates possible honey lab fire that injured Clearlake Oaks man
On Saturday afternoon, just after 4:10 p.m., Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters were dispatched to a fire in the 10500 block of E. Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks on the report of a structure fire.
Arriving firefighters found a fire in a small cabin and quickly contained it. They reported over the radio that a male victim had severe second-degree burns to his arms and face and he later was flown by air ambulance to UC Davis for treatment.
Michael James Hoisington, 34, of Clearlake Oaks was identified as the man injured due to the explosion and fire, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Paulich said that at 4:40 p.m. fire personnel requested Lake County Sheriff’s deputies respond to the scene to assist with the fire investigation.
He said fire personnel believed the fire at the location may have been caused from a butane concentrated cannabis extraction lab – commonly known as butane honey oil lab – that was being used inside the residence.
When deputies arrived they were directed to the kitchen area where Paulich said they observed that a fire and small explosion had occurred.
The deputies found a plastic bottle with marijuana inside, a can of butane and a shattered glass dish with sticky substance that appeared to be concentrated cannabis, Paulich said.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit responded to assist with the investigation. Paulich said that, based on the items located, it was determined that butane was being used to extract concentrated cannabis from marijuana inside the residence.
Paulich said detectives are submitting a case to the District Attorney’s Office requesting a felony charge of chemical extraction of a controlled substance against hoisington.
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