WILDOMAR: Man critically injured, home destroyed, after BHO lab explosion and fire

WILDOMAR — A man suffered third degree burns covering half his body after a huge, early-morning explosion rocked a Wildomar neighborhood Wednesday, July 19. The explosion and subsequent fire destroyed one home and damaged an adjacent home.

The dual, simultaneous blazes displaced seven people, including six adults and one child.

The incident happened in the 33600 block of E. Harvest Way, south of Cornstalk and north of Rainbarrel Roads, in the community known as the Farm.

The victim and person who officials say caused the explosion and fire was later identified as Braken Blucher, 30, of Anza.

Officials allege Blucher was operating an illegal butane honey oil lab when, for a reason that has not yet been determined, the THC extraction process resulted in the explosion and following fire.

Blucher remains in critical condition in a medically induced coma at local hospital, Riverside Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau Lieutenant Paul Bennett explained in a written press release after the incident.

Riverside County firefighters and sheriff’s officials responded to the residence about 4 a.m., after officials received multiple 911 reports of an explosion and residential fire. The fire and explosion were later determined to be the result of an illegal butane honey oil lab operation, Riverside Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau Lieutenant Paul Bennett explained in a written press release after the incident.

“The explosion and subsequent fire caused major structural damage to the house and endangered human life, putting the entire neighborhood at risk,” said Bennett.

Twenty-nine firefighters from seven engine companies and one truck company responded to the scene of the explosion and fire, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer April Newman explained in an incident report. They were assisted by a Breathing Support Unit.

“The first on scene engine company reported a single story, residential structure well involved in fire,” said Newman.

At 5 a.m., about one hour after firefighters were first dispatched to the residential fire, officials updated that the blaze had spread into the attic of a residence next door; forcing them to divide their forces while fighting two separate structure fires.

After firefighters managed to successfully knock down the blaze, members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau/Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) investigated the butane honey oil extraction operation with assistance from Cal Fire’s Arson Team.

“While investigators were examining the scene of the fire, a search of the property revealed hundreds of butane canisters and a small outdoor marijuana grow,” Bennett explained.

“The process of using butane to extract THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is not only prohibited by state and federal law, it is extremely dangerous as evident in this case,” Bennett explained.

“This illegal activity is extremely hazardous and poses a serious threat to public safety,” said Bennett. “It can cause bodily injury, or even death, not only to the criminal operators, but innocent bystanders.”

Although officials determined Blucher was responsible for the illegal marijuana extraction and started the fire, due to the “severity of his injuries” he has not yet been arrested.

The exact cause of the explosion and fire are still under investigation, which is active and ongoing.

“Once this investigation is complete, it will be handed over to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, seeking criminal charges of operating a clandestine butane honey oil lab,” said Bennett.

Three adults were displaced from the primary residence, which officials described as a single-story, single-family, 1,200 square foot, modular home with an attached garage. The primary residence was considered “a 100% loss,” according to Newman.

The second home, which was moderately damaged, was described as a single story, single-family, 2,100 square foot residence. The second home sustained moderate damage from the fire. Three adults and one child were displaced from the exposed second residence.

Fire officials estimated the loss caused by the fire to be $350,000; however, firefighters’ efforts saved an additional $300,000 in property and personal belongings.

Fire officials requested American Red Cross members to the scene to assist the residents displaced from both homes.

There was one reported injury, an unidentified citizen, who paramedics treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. After being evaluated and receiving oxygen, the victim declined further treatment.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Special Investigations Bureau at (951) 955-1700. Callers can refer to incident file number R172000001 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.

s a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.