Portland Fire: Man causes explosion while making THC 'dabs' concentrate, starts fire

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man was arrested on Friday after being accused of starting a fire while he was making THC concentrate for "dabs" that caused an explosion, authorities said.

Portland firefighters and Portland police executed a search warrant for an arson in a Northeast Portland home that happened earlier in the week. Police arrested Christopher Ellet, who is accused of the arson and another outstanding warrant, officials said.

On Wednesday, Portland firefighters responded to a home fire near Northeast 42nd Avenue and Northeast Holman Street.

"A PF&R Investigator responded to investigate the cause of the fire and determined the most probable cause was an 'explosion' of flammable vapors from butane being used in the illegal manufacture of hash oil, more commonly known as BHO," Portland Fire and Rescue said in a release.

Officials said there were two other adults and two juveniles in the home at the time of the fire.

Concentrated butane hash oil (BHO) is a material that is smoked recreationally, called "dabbing." BHO is made by extracting THC from cannabis in a process that involves using highly flammable butane oil. The practice of making BHO, using methods such as open blasting or open-loop extractions, has grown in popularity in the U.S. among hobbyists, officials said.

"The City of Portland has experienced numerous incidents in which a fire or explosion has occurred because of the open blasting process. These fires and explosions have seriously injured and killed people," PF&R said.

The investigation is ongoing.