Crime & Safety
Police: Marijuana Growing at Site of Orinda Explosion
Update: The Orchard Road property where an explosion apparently burned a 25-year-old man Sunday afternoon had pot growing. No arrests have been made, police say.
Update, 6:20 p.m. Monday, details from Sgt. Rafanan.
Police discovered a marijuana-growing operation on Orchard Road, Orinda, while investigating the report of an explosion that burned a 25-year-old man Sunday afternoon.
No arrests have been made and the cause of the explosion is under investigation, according to a Monday news release from Orinda police.
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The explosion took place in an outdoor shed where the man was making hash oil and was reported at 1:36 p.m. Sunday, said Orinda Police Sgt. Neil Rafanan. The man was apparently "using butane to make hash oil when he suffered severe burns to his hands, upper torso and legs," Rafanan said.
The 25-year-old man was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and his condition Monday was unknown, police reported. Police on Sunday reported the man was badly burned and said the explosion may have been caused by a cigarette touching off paint thinner, the Contra Costa Times reported.
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This incident puts added focus on a Sacramento court hearing on medical marijuana dispensaries scheduled for Tuesday.
Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
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