A man trying to extract hash oils from marijuana with illegally used flammable gases in a Pittsfield industrial building last month nearly blew himself up.
“Cannabis extraction methods that use propane, butane, and similar substances without proper safety precautions are illegal because they’re extremely dangerous,” said state Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey in a statement. “The gases used in these processes are highly flammable. If they accumulate in an enclosed area, the smallest spark can cause a devastating explosion.”
The explosion happened Feb. 21 on Keeler Street, according to the release. A survey of the property on online mapping shows it to be one in a cluster of old, brick mill buildings housing various companies. Pittsfield’s city zoning map marks the area, which abuts the tree-lined West Branch of the Housatonic River Reservoir, for light industrial use.
