On January 11, 2019 at around 5:30 PM South Lake Tahoe Dispatch received numerous 911 calls regarding multiple explosions and a fire at 1104 Kyburz Ave.
Fire and Police personnel arrived on scene and found a fully engulfed residential structure fire.
As fire personnel attempted to contain the fire, multiple smaller explosions occurred as butane gas canisters ignited, sending the flaming cans toward other residential structures, endangering firefighters as they attempted to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring properties.
An investigation into the fire led to a marijuana honey oil lab that caused the explosion and resulting fire, which was only feet away from an occupied motel.
One subject, Joe Johnson of South Lake Tahoe, was arrested and more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
No injuries are reported at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and reference case number 1901-1089.
Anyone with information regarding these dangerous and extremely volatile marijuana honey oil labs or anyone who would like to report suspicious activity in their neighborhood are urged to contact the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at (530) 542-6100 or secret witness at (530) 541-6800.
(The City of South Lake Tahoe contributed to this report.)
