One arrested in South Lake Tahoe honey oil explosion

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One man has been arrested in connection with Friday's house fire on Kyburz Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

Joe Johnson, 37, was arrested on a felony charge of manufacturing a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of a police officer.

At 5:34 p.m. on January 11, 2019, South Lake Tahoe Dispatch received numerous 911 calls regarding multiple explosions and a fire in the 1100 block of Kyburz Avenue. Fire and police personnel arrived on scene and found a fully engulfed residential structure fire.

After they arrived and worked to contain the fire there were more explosions as butane gas canisters ignited, sending the flaming cans toward other residential structures and endangering firefighters as they attempted to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring properties.

Lake Valley and Tahoe Douglas Fire departments were also called to the scene due to the danger of fire spread to not only neighboring homes but to motels along Highway 50. At one point flames had reached the eaves of the Emerald Bay Inn, prompting guests to be evacuated temporarilty.

An investigation into the fire led to a marijuana honey oil lab which had caught on fire and caused the explosions, leading to the arrest of Johnson who has since bailed out of the El Dorado County Jail.

"More arrests are expected as the investigation continues," said Detective Sgt. Travis Cabral.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and reference case number 1901-1089. They can be reached at (530) 542–6100. Calls can also be made to Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.

"Anyone with information regarding these dangerous and extremely volatile marijuana honey oil labs or anyone who would like to report suspicious activity in their neighborhood are urged to contact the South Lake Tahoe Police Department," said Cabral.