Redondo man injured in explosion while extracting cannabis oil

Redondo Beach firefighters survey the scene of a fire near Pacific Coast Highway and Knob Hill on Monday afternoon. Photo

Redondo Beach firefighters survey the scene of a fire near Pacific Coast Highway and Knob Hill on Monday afternoon. Photo

 

A Redondo Beach man was hospitalized with serious burn injury after chemicals he used for extracting cannabis oil exploded in a home along Pacific Coast Highway on Monday afternoon.

Redondo Beach firefighters were called to a structure fire in the front unit of a home on the 700 block of South Pacific Coast Highway at 2:40 p.m.

The man inside the unit came out suffering from significant burns, according to Redondo Beach Fire Chief Robert Metzger. Metzger said that he couldn’t provide an update as to how bad the burns were or the percentage of burn coverage he suffered.

“Apparently, he told fire personnel treating him that he was working with butane and was extracting honey oil from marijuana he had inside,” Metzger said.

A second, two-story unit was occupied at the time of the fire, but its occupants were able to escape without assistance from RBFD.

Firefighters had the second-alarm fire knocked down by at least 3:20 p.m., and were reviewing the scene while Redondo Beach Police redirected traffic around off of PCH. Firefighters were also mobilized in a mutual-aid effort from Torrance, Manhattan Beach and LA County fire departments.

“Flames and smoke everywhere,” said Cindy Hollern, who lives two blocks away from the fire. She and her fiancé drove down from Palos Verdes, fearing their home was aflame. She watched as the firefighters finished at the scene. “They did such a great job. They’re amazing.”

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