Hash-oil production led to Maltby fire, officials say

Published 10:51 am Monday, December 7, 2015

MALTBY — A fire in a home near Maltby on Sunday night was started by a man who was trying to manufacture hash oil, officials said.

The fire was reported about 11 p.m. in the 18200 block of Broadway Avenue. It started in the garage and spread into the second floor and attic, said Heather Chadwick, spokeswoman for Snohomish County Fire District 7.

The man, 50, suffered burns and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force is investigating, sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.

Hash oil, a derivative of the marijuana plant, is illegal and dangerous to make. Multiple explosions in Washington, some with injuries, have been linked to its production in recent years. Hash oil production also was blamed for a house fire near Edmonds in September.

Firefighters got to the Maltby fire quickly, and the damage was mostly contained to the garage, Chadwick said. However, there was smoke damage throughout the two-story split-level home. Crews also responded from Fire District 1 and Snohomish.