Authorities To Look Deeper Into Smoke Tokes Explosion, Criminal Probe Underway

Authorities in Los Angeles have launched a criminal investigation into the warehouse explosion that injured 12 firefighters and damaged several properties over the weekend.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as investigators associated with the city's fire and police departments, are working together to look deeper into the fire that razed Smoke Tokes, a warehouse distributor of butane hash oil.

“We are in the early stages of an investigation. We are looking at every aspect at this stage. We haven't determined a cause,” LAPD Assistant Chief Horace Frank told the Los Angeles Times.

While the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, LAFD spokesman Nicholas Prange said they found butane cans and carbon dioxide inside the warehouse. Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph said they found butane canisters out on the street when they responded to the fire.

An initial assessment of the blaze pointed to Smoke Tokes as a wholesaler of products used to make concentrated cannabis. NBC News said the process usually requires “highly flammable butane.” The area surrounding the business also houses a number of vape supply stores that sell vitamin E acetate.

Sources also told the outlet no placards were present outside the warehouse warning firefighters about butane. City officials, on the other hand, described Smoke Tokes as a "ghost business as it does not appear in local regulatory records."

LAFD first received reports about a fire at 6:26 pm on May 16. Firefighters who responded to the scene heard an explosion and a Mayday call went out, indicating that the fire might have spread to adjacent buildings.

“As the butane ignited, it blew out that commercial building like a blowtorch,” described LAFD spokesperson Eric Scott.

Eleven firefighters were injured as they battled the inferno. The LAFD told Firehouse that they were treated at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Another firefighter was treated and later released at an emergency room for “minor extremity injury.”

Three more firefighters have been discharged, while eight remained hospitalized, including two that are reported to be in critical condition. All of the victims are expected to survive, although USC doctors said one would probably need skin grafting, added the outlet.