House explosion blamed on drug lab
Drug production gone horribly wrong was confirmed by police as the likely cause of a dramatic explosion and fire at a West Kelowna home Wednesday night.
One man died as a result of the blast and blaze, a young couple has been airlifted to a Vancouver hospital with critical injuries and another man received only minor injuries.
“Preliminary findings, coupled with observations made by first responders to the scene, suggest the rural home was being used in the production of drugs,” said Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
“Although the exact cause of this house fire remains unknown at this time, RCMP strongly believe this was not the act of an arsonist and the public is not at any risk.”
The West Kelowna RCMP is being helped by the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response Team in the investigation.
The police are also asking anyone with information to call the West Kelowna detachment at 250-0768-2880. Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip at CrimeStoppers.net.
A police news release relaying the findings ended with a statement that no further information will be released at this time. Police have released no information about the fire since Friday.
That means reporters weren’t able to ask police what kind of drug production is suspected, what made the house blow up or get an update on the condition of Chiara Boehlke and Aleck Villeneuve, the couple who rented the house at 3008 Elliott Rd.
Boehlke’s sister, Jordan, started a GoFundMe campaign for the couple at GoFundMe.com/west-kelowna-house-explosion.
As of Tuesday morning, 65 donors had raised $4,440 toward a $25,000 goal.
Most comments on the site expressed concern for the couple and passed along well wishes for recovery.
However, one woman wrote: “Go fund yourself losers. You put all your neighbours in harm’s way with your drug lab.”