Explosion in Anaheim prompts search for possible suspect who may be badly burned
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An explosion and fire that erupted in an Anaheim strip mall Wednesday night, July 10, was caused by a butane honey-oil extraction in an illegal operation that manufactured THC wax and edible products, authorities said.
One person was seen fleeing, by a witness, with burns to his face, leg and arms.
Just before 9:55 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters and police were called to the reported explosion at 410 S. Euclid St., where they found a small fire outside the building that they quickly extinguished, said police Sgt. Daron Wyatt, the spokesman for Anaheim Fire & Rescue.
When butane came into contact with an ignition source, the sergeant said, the explosion occurred in the back of the business, leading to the small fire.
There was about $20,000 in damages, Wyatt said.
Inside, there were cooking materials, what appeared to be edible gummies on trays, and jars containing what appeared to be marijuana.
Investigators were trying to determine who leased the space.
“These operations are extremely dangerous,” Wyatt said.
Anyone who sees a person with the reported injuries was asked to call Anaheim police.