Fire spreads after cannabis oil explosion

An attempt to produce cannabis oil created an explosion and fire at a Tauranga house. File photo / NZ Herald

A Tauranga man's attempt to make cannabis oil in a kitchen ended in an explosion which blew out two windows and in his arrest.

The 28-year-old local man suffered burns to his hands and face and was treated at Tauranga Hospital, Detective Alan Kingsbury of Tauranga police said.

He had been charged with attempting to produce cannabis oil and was due to appear in Tauranga District Court on Tuesday.

The Fire Service were called to the house about 8.30pm last night after the explosion and fire that spread to the walls and ceiling of the kitchen, Mr Kingsbury said.

It was lucky a mother and her three young children, who also lived at the property, were not hurt as many of the chemicals commonly used were extremely flammable, he said.

The explosion highlighted the dangers that came with producing illicit drugs, he said.

- NZPA