Guilty pleas in marijuana oil extraction apartment explosion

A man who caused an explosion in a Vernon apartment has admitted to two of five offenses he is charged with.

The blast in August 2015 seriously injured two men, including James Karl Iverson, who has pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and arson by negligence.

The remaining charges are expected to be stayed by Crown Counsel.

READ MORE: Two men in critical condition after Vernon explosion

Police said the explosion was the result of a marijuana extraction process that went wrong.

“This is just another example of the danger that exists when people attempt to extract the oils in an operation such as this,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk in a news release following the explosion. “The individuals usually use various types of solvents that create vapors and can lead to serious explosions and fires. The added danger in this case is they were in an apartment building that had the potential to harm the many residents that lived there.”

The judge ordered a Pre-Sentence Report be prepared into Iverson’s personal circumstances before a sentencing hearing is held.

The maximum penalty for the two charges is ten years imprisonment.

Iverson returns to court in April.