Man Burned in 'Concentrated Marijuana Lab' Explosion at MoVal Apartment Complex

A man sustained burns in an explosion caused by a "concentrated marijuana lab" early Thursday at a Moreno Valley apartment complex, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Deputies responded to the reported explosion about 12:50 a.m. Oct. 31 to the Walker Terrace Apartments in the 13200 block of Heacock Street, sheriff's Sgt. Brian Holmes said in a statement.

"Within minutes after receiving the call, officers located a Hispanic male outside an apartment," Holmes said.

The unidentified suspect, a 30-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, suffered burn wounds over his body, Holmes said. He was taken to a hospital for medical treatment and he was said to be in stable condition.

"After Moreno Valley Fire Officials deemed the residence safe, officers from the Moreno Valley Police Department located a concentrated marijuana lab," Holmes said. "Further investigation determined the concentrated marijuana lab caused the explosion."

Riverside County Sheriff's Drug Endangered Children investigators responded and determined four children were at risk due the concentrated marijuana lab and the explosion, Holmes said.

"Due to the severity of the suspect's injuries, he was not arrested at this time," Holmes said. "This case will be forwarded to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for further review."

The man's name was not released because he had not been arrested, sheriff's Sgt. Lisa McConnell said Friday morning.

"The children would have been turned over to Child Protective Services since they determined they were endangered," McConnell said.

The Sheriff's Department headlined their statement about the incident "Honey Oil Lab." Honey oil refers to concentrated THC produced in illegal residential labs, which have been linked to explosions in Orange County over the past year and a half.

For a report on an alleged honey oil lab discovered last week in Murrieta see:

Police: Butane, Marijuana 'Honey Oil' Found During Apartment Search

Anyone with more info was urged to call Officer Reese at the sheriff's Moreno Valley station, (951)  486-6700.