2 Arrested After Hash Oil Lab Sparks Fire At Carlsbad Home

CARLSBAD, CA – Two men were arrested Wednesday night after a hash oil lab appeared to have been the cause of a fire at a Carlsbad home, authorities said. Investigators said the blaze sparked when the lab blew up during the extraction process.

The fire broke out around 6:50 p.m. in the 2000 block of Chestnut Avenue, according to the Carlsbad Police Department. Residents had already extinguished the flames by the time fire and police personnel arrived on the scene. As firefighters were mopping up, officials noticed what they thought might be materials used to extract butane honey oil, a super-potent type of hash that has surged on the marijuana market.

After searching the home, detectives discovered finished concentrated cannabis, more than 50 marijuana plants, psilocybin mushrooms, a short-barreled shotgun and additional items used in the production of concentrated cannabis through solvent extraction, according to the Carlsbad Police Department.

Detectives arrested the residents of the home, Peter McDonald, 56, and David Silva, 51.

According to the Carlsbad Police Department, both were booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance. McDonald was also charged for allegedly possessing a controlled substance for sale and causing a structure fire, while Silva was also charged for allegedly possessing a shotgun.

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