Pubdate: Sat, 24 Aug 2002
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2002 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: Elizabeth Binning and Scott Macleod
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

KITCHEN CANNABIS OIL BLAST PUTS MAN INTO HOSPITAL

The blast was so powerful it shifted bricks in the outer walls of the flat 
and sent window glass flying across a Hamilton street.

Inside the Frankton home, a badly burned man rushed about trying to hide 
chemicals as skin flapped from his scorched arms and flaming curtains 
fluttered through the windows.

The explosion, at 21 Queens Ave at 4.45pm on Thursday, was apparently 
caused by a cannabis oil-making attempt that backfired.

The man was in hospital yesterday, just six days after he shifted into the 
flat.

Neighbour Katherine Wright said she was at home when she heard a bang that 
sounded like someone falling through a window.

She and other neighbours ran to the unit, which was on fire.

"I called out 'is everyone alright, is everyone okay?"'

There was no response. She entered to find a badly burned man in his mid to 
late twenties trying to put out the blaze.

Window frames had popped out, the kitchen was blackened and paint was 
peeling from the ceiling.

Neighbours moved a gas bottle out of the unit and tried to quell the fire 
with a hose. Then they turned it on the man's burned face and arm to cool him.

The man's chest, covered only by a singlet, was also red. His girlfriend, 
who was also in the unit, was less badly burned.

Ms Wright said the man panicked. There were spray cans, paint cans and pots 
around the stove.

"He was saying 'I've got to get this stuff out of here'."

There was a strong smell of chemicals. Ms Wright believed the man had been 
making "oil" on the stove.

Police found cannabis and chemicals when they arrived soon after.

Glass, a yellow curtain, pieces of window frame, a blackened pot, a knife 
and plastic containers lay scattered across the lawn yesterday. Debris lay 
in neighbours' gardens.

Police, forensics staff, photographers and scene guards were at the flat.

A policeman confirmed that charges would be laid. However, the burned man 
was too badly injured to be interviewed.

"He's not going to die," the officer said. "But ... he won't be going 
anywhere in a hurry."
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MAP posted-by: Tom