Cops: 2 men cooking drugs cause explosion in S. Tahoe
Updated Oct. 3, 6:55pm
By Kathryn Reed
A suspected drug lab exploded in the middle of South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday afternoon.
Barrek Madden, 23, of South Lake Tahoe was flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento with third-degree burns to his face and upper torso. Schuyler VanFleet, 22, of South Lake Tahoe had his hair, eyebrows and beard singed. He was arrested on felony charges of unlawfully causing a fire and operating a drug lab.
At about 3:15pm Oct. 3 an explosion could be heard coming from a bottom floor unit of the Forest Manor Apartments at the corner of Forest and Wildwood avenues.
Firefighters enter the apartment just before 4pm Oct. 3. Photos/Kathryn Reed
“They had butane as part of the process and it caught fire,” Police-Fire Chief Brian Uhler said.
He said the suspects were cooking or refining the hashish.
Because fire crews did not know what all was inside the apartment they took their time before entering. At first they let the fire smolder a bit.
“We withdrew personnel because of a possible drug lab and materials,” Uhler said.
A family who lives above the suspected drug lab fled down the street after hearing the explosion, which they described as loud.
“I see smoke and one guy on fire. I don’t know him. I just got my family out,” the resident, who did not want to give his name, told Lake Tahoe News.
All the units were evacuated.
South Tahoe firefighter Doug Bailey hooks the hose to the hydrant.
The extent of the damage to the one unit is not known, nor is is known if other units experienced smoke damage. However, the entire complex at 3754 Forest has been deemed unsafe at this point. The fire department has requested the American Red Cross provide temporary shelter for the displaced residents.
Too bad the apartment building was damaged.
And the culprit’s beard.
Absolutely no regard for the safety of the families in the building! Not very nieghborly.
Stay classy, South Lake!
About four months ago, caught one of my tenants starting
an elaborate grow house a week after she moved in. Called
SLTPD and was told that the Dept. didn’t respond to calls
like that anymore. So I went back to my rental, kicked down
the front door, and deposited everything out in the street. She was a little upset, so I said to her, call the police.
How much damage did she cause to your place. Was she prop. 215. Did u have a clause in your lease. What makes u feel like u have the right to throw someones stuff in the street after u collect rent and deposit. Thats nothing to brag about barf. Theres a rt way and a wrong way. Depending on who you do that to you could find yourself in a legal bind. This isnt the wild west