Officials: Drug Lab May Have Caused Mill Fire

The acting fire marshal in Providence, Rhode Island, confirms that investigators are looking into the possibility that an illegal drug lab caused a huge fire last week at an empty mill.

Fire Capt. Peter McMichael told The Providence Journal that the manufacture of concentrated marijuana oil was being examined as a possible cause.

The process uses highly flammable butane gas to dissolve away plant material and collect the highly concentrated resin. But the butane, which is heavier than air, can often pool unnoticed in low-lying areas and explode if exposed to an ignition source.

The official cause has yet to be released.

The March 9 blaze destroyed the 90,000-square foot building.

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Information from: The Providence Journal

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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