A 64-year-old male was killed in a fire following a small explosion in his shed on Duke Road.
RCMP Sgt. Rose says police got the report at 11:56 a.m. Aug. 11, and found the shed on the property burning, and a male with substantial injuries attempting to put out the fire with a garden hose.
The male had severe burns throughout his body and was brought to the Smithers hospital by the ambulance, but later died from his injuries, said Sgt. Rose.
His name will not be released at the request of the family.
The Houston Fire Department put out the fire, and investigation found a small marijuana grow operation in the shed, said RCMP Sgt. Rose.
Sgt. Rose says police got a search warrant and seized 27 marijuana plants, 4.5 pounds of marijuana bud and a firearm, and the case is still under investigation by the B.C. Coroners Service.
The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but RCMP Sgt. Rose says it is believed that the homeowner was using propane or butane in an enclosed environment, which resulted in the explosion.