Novato house fire caused by hash oil lab accident

On Sunday afternoon, a house fire occurred in Novato, California, which was later confirmed by police to have been accidentally ignited by a resident engaged in the production of butane hash oil. The incident took place around noon, prompting a swift response from both Novato police officers and the Novato Fire Protection District. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the single residence, preventing it from spreading to neighboring homes. During their efforts to extinguish the fire, investigators discovered evidence indicating the presence of a hash oil lab. Butane hash oil extraction is known to be a significant fire hazard, raising concerns about the safety of such activities. The resident, identified as 42-year-old Brendan Hummel, was treated for a minor injury sustained during the incident. Following the fire, police conducted interviews and gathered evidence, ultimately determining that Hummel had inadvertently caused the fire while manufacturing the concentrated cannabis product. Due to the nature of the incident, the Marin County Sheriff's Office Specialized Investigative Unit was called in for assistance, given their expertise in handling such cases. As a result of the investigation, Hummel was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and recklessly starting a fire. Authorities have urged residents to report any suspicious activities or emergencies to ensure community safety.