Just before 8:30pm Wednesday evening, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights personnel responded to an explosion and fire at an industrial building on Antelope Rd. in White City, Oregon.
The fire and explosions, which preliminary information indicates was caused by an illegal cannabis extraction process, caused extensive building damage, impacted power and internet services in White City and the fire was near open fields in the Denman Game area behind the building.
The first deputy on scene contacted a male adult who appeared to have burn injuries. Shortly after this, two additional males contacted the deputy and both of them appeared to be seriously injured from burns. All subjects were treated by medical personnel and the two most seriously injured were reportedly taken to Oregon Health Sciences University hospital in Portland and a fourth adult male subject was seen running from the area of the building and is being sought for an interview.
The Names of the subjects are not being released at this time.The case is now under investigation by the Interagency Marijuana Enforcement Team, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Fire District 3 Fire Marshal and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
A search warrant for the property was obtained and the scene remains an active investigation site.
