A man has been seriously burned in an explosion at a legal marijuana grow operation in Gleneden.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, RCMP, the Salmon Arm Fire Department and BC Ambulance responded to a report of a possible explosion at an address on 50th Street NW.
Upon investigation, RCMP determined the was a legal, fully licensed marijuana growing operation taking place at the site and that the explosion appeared to be the result of a malfunction with a piece of machinery.
“There was nothing criminal about this, as it was a legal grow,” says RCMP Sgt. Carlos Tettowlowski. “As such, that makes this more of an industrial work accident.”
Tettowlowski said one man was “gravely injured” in the explosion and was transported to hospital. His current condition remains critical.
The Salmon Arm Fire Department called out crews from Halls #3 and #4 to the possible explosion, but when they arrived there was no fire.
“On arrival we discovered a shop which showed signs of a fire, consistent with some type of explosion, but there was nothing actually burning when we got on scene. There was one male occupant who had severe burns to a major part of his body,” said Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley. “The shop contained a very sophisticated grow operation that was licenced to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes.”
Shirley says the fire department investigation into the fire is ongoing, but no cause has been determined at this time.
Work Safe BC has been called in to investigate, as well as the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
