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Federal investigators probe large fire at cannabis products warehouse
Saturday’s explosion at Smoke Tokes in Little Tokyo ignited blaze that spread to neighboring commercial buildings, injuring 11 firefighters, officials said
Federal authorities have joined an arson investigation into Saturday night’s explosion at a downtown Los Angeles cannabis products warehouse that ignited a large fire, injuring 11 firefighters.
An initial investigation found the fire started at Smoke Tokes on Boyd Street in Little Tokyo, the Los Angeles Times reported. Smoke Tokes, whose address is 309 San Pedro Street — which intersects with Boyd Street — is a wholesaler carrying smoking accessories. The owner of the building is registered to the LLC Towne & 333, according to property records.
Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators, police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are looking into whether butane or oils set off the explosion. The fire quickly spread to surrounding commercial buildings, according to reports.
Assistant Police Chief Horace Frank said investigators “haven’t found a cause,” according to reports. The Times reported that police have called that area “Bong Row” because businesses there are primarily cannabis-related.
Four years ago, there was a large fire at a business called Smoke Tokes on 3rd Street, though it was unclear whether that business is connected to the one that burned over the weekend. [LAT] — Dennis Lynch and Jerome Dineen