Three men badly injured after Courtenay drug op explodes
By Trail Champion
Police are confident that the cause of a house explosion and fire on May 22 in Courtenay is criminal in nature.
Police conducted a search of the residence, after obtaining a search warrant under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, on May 23and located equipment and other evidence that is used in the production of hash oil. Police have also spoken to one of the young men involved and he confirmed what police suspect.
“This is a tragic reminder of the serious risks involved in the production of illegal drugs,”said Const. Don Sinclair of the Comox Valley RCMP. “We cannot stress enough to anyone considering this sort of activity to think of the pain and anguish these three men and their families now face, and reconsider their plans.”
All three men, age 25, 28 and29 years old, remain hospitalized at this time with serious injuries. No further details on their medical status will be released by police, to protect their privacy.
The house is reported to be structurally unsound after the explosion and subsequent fire and will require assessment for safety and re-habitation.
The criminal investigation continues, but police are confident that the three injured men were the only people present at the time of the explosion.
Original story:
The Comox Valley RCMP and Courtenay Fire rescue are presently investigating a fire that damaged a residence and sent three men to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Neighbours in the area of the residence, located on the 2000 block of 1 Street in Courtenay, reported the fire after hearing what sounded like explosions at about 4:56 p.m. on May 22. Shortly after, three men were seen to hurry from the house and leave the area in a vehicle. All three men were located at St. Joseph’s hospital a short time later where they were receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries as a result of the fire. All three men have been airlifted to other specialized hospital units due to the seriousness of their injuries.
Once the fire has been extinguished and it is safe for police personnel to enter the residence, a search warrant will be obtained, and then a more comprehensive look can be taken to determine the cause of this incident.
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