Fire That Burned 2 Blamed On Oxygen Tank Explosion

OAKLAND, CA - Two men suffered second-degree burns in a two-alarm fire that started when an oxygen tank exploded Tuesday afternoon in an East Oakland duplex, a fire battalion chief said. 

The fire was first reported at 3:21 p.m. near 76th Avenue and Hillside Street, a few blocks from the Eastmont Town Center. 

The fire destroyed one unit and damaged the other. In all, the fire did about $600,000 in damage to the structure, Battalion Chief Ian McWhorter said. 

A hazardous materials team was called because firefighters found butane, which is used in the production of hash oil - an illegal drug that has effects similar to marijuana. 

Explosions are not uncommon when people are making hash oil. 

Police did not immediately return a call seeking comment. 

The explosion occurred in a bedroom, McWhorter said. Firefighters first thought the fire required a smaller one-alarm response, but the fire was upgraded to two alarms before 3:51 p.m. 

The fire was extinguished at about 6:21 p.m.

--Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock