CORNWALL – In an unusual move, the city’s police force and fire department have come out with a joint statement about the dangers of drug production.
This, as the Cornwall Community Police Service has concluded a fire on First Street East on April 6 was the result of someone trying to extract cannabis resin from marijuana.
Const. Dan Cloutier said a suspect has been arrested and charges have been laid. Details are expected to be released tomorrow (Wednesday).
A 25-year-old man and several pets managed to escape that basement fire.
The process, which uses highly combustible and flammable liquids, produces a substance called “shatter”.
“Not only is the practice illegal, it is very dangerous and unpredictable. You are basically in your house with a time bomb,” Staff Sergeant Kurt Fraser said.
This is the second fire linked to “shatter” production.
A 67-year-old apartment tenant, Michel Lalonde, was killed March 26 when an explosion and fire consumed part of the building on Carleton Street.
A 27-year-old Cornwall man, Andrew Ross, is facing a dozen charges including criminal negligence causing death.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:45 p.m. to show an arrest has been made in the First Street East fire and charges have been laid.
