Lebanon Man Severely Burned In Butane Hash Oil Explosion: Sheriff

LEBANON, OR — A 26-year-old Lebanon man suffered burns to more than 50 percent of his body after surviving an apparent drug lab explosion at his trailer this past Tuesday night. Linn County Sheriff's officials said deputies found evidence the man was attempting to create butane hash oil when the explosion occurred.

Nicholas Helms is currently being treated at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. He was taken to OHSU after first being seen at Lebanon Community Hospital.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office dispatched deputies to Helms' trailer in the 37000-block of River Drive in Lebanon just after 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 after receiving reports of a loud explosion in the area. When deputies arrived, they immediately found evidence of an explosion and fire damage to a conex-style box trailer, officials said.

Along with evidence of the illegal butane hash oil lab, deputies seized multiple pounds of cannabis, cash, and weapons — also blasting caps, for which deputies called in the Oregon State Police Explosives Unit.

No charges have been filed against Helms while he remains in hospital.

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Image via Linn County Sheriff's Office