Hash oil lab may have caused Santa Rosa warehouse fire

Thousands of butane canisters were the first clues to what sparked a fire that damaged a west Santa Rosa warehouse, fire officials said Wednesday.

Police and fire investigators suspect people were extracting oil from marijuana in a laboratory behind false walls built in the Condo Court warehouse off Coffey Lane, officials said.

Assistant Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal said he suspects the Tuesday afternoon fire started with a hash oil setup involving butane gas and electric equipment like bucket heaters and hot plates.

Firefighters had to break through walls built behind doors to get inside the warehouse after the 911 call reported smoke coming from the roll-up garage door at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Lowenthal said. They forced their way in past heavy smoke and carved a hole in the roof to relieve the heat, Battalion Chief Matt Dahl said.

No one was inside, despite spent fire extinguishers indicating people had tried to put out the flames, Lowenthal said. It wasn't clear whether they had abandoned hope of extinguishing the fire or if it appeared to be out but then continued smoldering until it reignited. The doors were locked.

Santa Rosa police Lt. Mike Lazzarini said they suspect multiple people were inside the warehouse when the fire started and had been seen going to and from the building. Police have not made any arrests.

Detectives found “thousands and thousands” of butane canisters and a large quantity of processed marijuana at the warehouse, which is south of Piner Road and adjacent to a school that serves special education students. Lazzarini said staff were on campus when the fire started, but there were no students.

The fire caused about $250,000 in damage to the warehouse, mostly to the garage area of the building.

Staff Writer Paul Payne contributed to this report. You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 707-521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com.