CAPITOLA — Emergency responders pulled two men and a teenager out of a condominium after a honey butane oil lab exploded inside over the weekend, according to police.
Neighbors reported hearing the sound of an explosion shortly after 9 p.m. Friday on the 1900 block of 46th Avenue. Central Fire District firefighters and American Medical Response personnel responded, transporting one of the adults to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries, according to Capitola Police Chief Andy Dally.
Damages, minor in nature, were contained to the home, Dally said.
While on scene responders observed what appeared to be explosive devices inside the home and contacted the Santa Cruz County bomb team to investigate and evacuate residents in surrounding units. Team members determined the explosion was caused, however, by an illegal drug extraction process and not a bomb.
Police investigators arrested residents Allen Gabelman, 53, and Ryan Shores, 55. Gabelman remained held Monday in lieu of $25,000 bail at Santa Cruz County Jail. Both men were arrested on suspicion of felony manufacturing of controlled substances, conspiracy and child endangerment and misdemeanor drug possession for methamphetamine, fentanyl and psilocybin.
