Fire investigators ruled this volatile blaze was caused by a fuel source used to extract cannabis oil at a cabin in River Green Resort in Parksvlle on June 13, 2019. (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

Mystery solved

Failed marijuana oil extraction caused fire, huge explosion: Parksville Fire Dept.

Jun 14, 2019 | 8:16 AM

PARKSVILLE — An attempt to extract marijuana oil was behind a large explosion and fire at River Green Resort in Parksville.

Assistant chief Steven Leidl with the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department said the volatile June 6 explosion was caused by a flammable butane or propane fuel source.

A man was flown to hospital in Victoria with second and third degree burns, while a woman was deemed to be uninjured after she was taken to hospital for observation.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from several kilometers away as numerous people reported online they could feel the explosion.

Leidl said multiple vehicles were damaged by fire in the south Parksville property, but the primary damage was contained to the cabin.

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The fire was categorized as suspicious by firefighters the morning after.

The fire department is no longer investigating the incident, which is being reviewed for insurance purposes.

NanaimoNewsNOW reached out to Oceanside RCMP to determine if a subsequent criminal investigation was launched.

In 2014, three men were seriously burned at a Dashwood area home following a similar fire and explosion.

Oceanside RCMP alleged the incident was the result of butane fuel used in a drug lab to produce cannabis oil.

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