Vernon Courthouse
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
March 01, 2017 - 4:30 PM
VERNON - A man accused of causing an explosion in a Vernon apartment building has pleaded guilty to two of the five charges against him.
James Karl Iverson pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and arson by negligence in relation to the Aug. 14, 2015 fire at Regency Gardens on Okanagan Avenue in Vernon. Iverson entered the pleas in Vernon Provincial Court on Feb. 27.
At the time, police said the fire was caused when a marijuana extraction lab exploded in one of the units. The people in the apartment, a 21- and 22-year-old, were badly burned in the fire and were airlifted to hospital.
“This is just another example of the danger that exists when people attempt to extract the oils in an operation such as this. The individuals usually use various types of solvents that create vapours and can lead to serious explosions and fires,” police said in an August 2015 media release.
Iverson was charged in connection with the fire a year ago, in February 2016. He is also charged with arson in relation to inhabited property, arson causing bodily harm and arson damaging property, but no pleas have been entered.
A resident of the apartment building said half a dozen tenants were forced from their homes due to the fire, which led to considerable water damage.
Iverson returns to court April 26.
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