4 recovering after failed butane honey oil lab explodes in Madera

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Four people are badly burned after police say a failed butane honey oil lab exploded on Friday. The lab was inside a trailer at the Meadows Mobile Home Park in Madera.

Madera police say the four people who suffered from second- and third-degree burns were released from the hospital on Sunday. They are suspects in this case but have not yet been charged as investigators determine who is at fault.

Neighbors like Tony Sumpter say they're shocked to learn an explosion in their mobile home park was caused by a butane honey oil lab.

When asked if the incident upset him, Sumpter responded, "Yes it does. Like I said, I don't like that stuff at all."

Four people are now suspected of trying to make and sell a potent form of hash oil in this trailer. Cpl. Josiah Arnold of the Madera Police Department says the explosion blew out a wall of the trailer, shattered windows and rocked neighbors' homes.

"You know through YouTube people are able to learn how to make it. It's not a complicated process. It's not like cooking methamphetamine or producing some of the other harder drugs," said Cpl. Arnold.

While the process is simple, it can be deadly if the butane is ignited. That's exactly what happened Friday, resulting in severe burns for the people inside.

"Everybody came out and we tried to help them, but they didn't seem like they wanted any help," said Sumpter.

Investigators say neighbors noticed an increase in foot traffic leading up to the explosion. The suspects have lived in the trailer for several years, Sumpter says, but he believes that won't be the case starting this week.

"In fact tomorrow they're supposed to have an eviction notice; the manager has already told us that," said Sumpter.

Investigators say they are allowing the suspects to recover from their serious injuries as they determine who will be arrested for the illegal butane honey oil lab.