Explosion In Sebastopol: Honey Oil Lab Injures 2 People, 3 Pets

SEBASTOPOL, CA — Authorities believe an explosion Thursday in Sebastopol that blew the front door off a residential building, shattered the windows and pushed the dining room off the foundation was caused by an illegal butane honey oil lab.

Two people, two cats and a dog were burned in the explosion at 9:30 p.m. Thursday in the 1400 block of Industrial Avenue in unincorporated Sebastopol, said Sonoma County sheriff's Sgt. Juan Valencia.

Sheriff's officials said four people were arrested in connection with the incident: Cameron Coull, 26, of Sebastopol; Douglas Baker, 39, of Santa Rosa; James Wood, 58, of Sebastopol; and Linzy Gingras, 29, of Sebastopol.

When deputies arrived at the scene at the request of the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District, Wood was standing next to a fire engine holding a small dog burned in the explosion, Valencia said.

Coull, Wood and Gingras live at the building, a two-story with five residential units. The explosion happened in the bottom center unit, Valencia said.

At the time of the explosion, Coull and Baker were inside the unit making honey oil from leftover marijuana, Valencia said.

Wood was outside the home smoking a cigarette, and Gingras was at the home, the sergeant said.

"Honey oil is essentially concentrated cannabis, and the method to extract the oil from marijuana is a dangerous process," Valencia said. "Deputies and fire personnel found butane canisters and glass tubing that contained marijuana inside the home. The explosion appears to be the result of an illegal butane honey oil lab. Coull and Baker were transported by ambulance to an area hospital and admitted for their injuries. The two cats and dog were also taken by animal control for treatment."

According to Valencia: "The explosion caused the front door to be blown off the hinges and the windows to shatter. The dining room was blown off the foundation and pushed out approximately 18 inches. There is also structural damage inside the kitchen."

Sheriff's property crimes and narcotic detectives responded to the home, and collected evidence and obtained statements.

Gingras was booked into the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony manufacturing a controlled substance, felony animal cruelty and felony unlawfully causing a fire, Valencia said.

She remained in custody Friday in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Because of their medical conditions, Wood, Coull and Baker were all issued citations by the sheriff's office.

All three were cited on suspicion of felony manufacturing a controlled substance, felony animal cruelty, felony unlawfully causing a fire and misdemeanor violation of probation from a prior drug-related arrest, Valencia said.